Swire Shipping Fijian Drua winger Selestino Ravutaumada and robust outside centre Iosefo Masi’s first competitive outings with the Fiji 7s team did not disappoint head coach Osea Kolinisau at Churchill Park, Lautoka yesterday.
The duo proved their worth as they scored tries in both games and showed their attacking ability in open play.
With weeks to go for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, the Fiji men’s 7s team yesterday got a chance to test key players in a warm-up match against the Australia 7s side.
The host side won both matches 28-5 and 17-0 against the Australians that boasted former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and Waratahs winger Mark Nawaqanitawase.
Kolinsau said he was happy with the Taveuni duo (Ravutaumada and Masi) in connecting well with the seasoned players.
“Both of them are world-class players and it was good to see them attacking freely. I was happy with how they showed up with the team and connected with the players in defence and attack,” Kolinsau said.
“With the attack, we did well and defence we needed to tighten it up a bit. We gave away two yellow cards today (yesterday).
“And we don’t want to be doing that in the Olympics. That is what I told the players.”
Kolinisau said they would review their mistakes before today’s games.
“We will go back tonight and watch the game and come back tomorrow trying to improve on our weaknesses today (yesterday).
“I’m just trying out combinations, some of the boys that did not play today they did fitness training on the side, and I think tomorrow (today) I will change them around and they will come in to play.”
Meanwhile, Ravutaumada said he was trying to regain his fitness in 7s.
“Hopefully I get there before the team gets picked to play in the Olympics,” Ravutaumada said.
The side will play against Australia today at Prince Charles Park in Nadi at 3pm and 5pm.
The pre-Olympic warm-up match is supported by the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program.
