Three weeks of preparation for the Nabau Brothers under 18-21 team from Nakorotubu, Ra was what it took for them to enter the Fiji Bitter Wairiki 7s Carnival.

Team coach Peni Radau on the team’s journey into the Wairiki tournament following their match against Village Boys Black where they lost 10-12.

“It took the team three weeks to prepare and then a few more days when they came to Taveuni before they took part in the Wairiki 7s,” Radau explained.

He mentioned their outing in Wairiki, Taveuni was their first time in the Wairiki 7s leg and the team’s first time in coming over to the Garden Island.

In coming over to Taveuni, besides it being a learning experience for them, Radau said they had two goals in mind.

“The team had two aims, one of which was to take part and secondly, to visit Taveuni as well since most of them were coming here for the first time,” he said.

“We wanted them to do that and to see the island as they had only heard of it but now they get a chance to set foot on the island as well.”

The young side faced financial challenges leading up to the tournament, however the support from the vanua pulled through for them to be able to appear in Wairiki this week.

A grateful Radau also expressed his acknowledgement and thanks to the supporters, families and fans of the team who he says were an instrumental part of their journey to Wairiki.