Just stay calm.
This was the advice given to Fiji 7s utility player and new inclusion to the team Ponipate Loganimasi before he boarded his first international flight from Nadi to the US last Sunday.
Apart from jitters expected of anyone from the Fiji backwoods running into the international arena to compete in his first HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament, Loganamasi said his first time on an aircraft was nerve-wrecking.
The lanky Uluinakau player was called into the national 7s squad after the Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s earlier this month and will be the man to watch at the Los Angeles tournament that begins Sunday (February 26).
Loganimasi, originally from Lovoni Village, Ono-i-Lau in Lau, said it had been a dream come true for him as he sat on a plane for an international flight for the first time LA-bound from Nadi.
“I’m so excited, first time to go on a plane and it’s 10 hours and they’ve been telling me to just stay calm because I know I’ll be peeping outside because it’s a new thing, but I’m excited,” the 24-year-old said ahead of the long-haul flight.
“I’ve been praying about it, now I know dreams do come true if you pray about it and keep that faith, then you can achieve your goal.”
He said news of joining the national side stirred up mixed emotions in the beginning.
“I was nervous at first, excited at the same time because it’s a new thing, new environment. To be part of the team gives me strength to keep on going.”
The Fiji Airways Fiji 7s is pooled with Australia, Kenya and Japan at the LA 7s.
They take on Japan at 7.05am on Sunday, then face Kenya at 10.18am before playing Australia in the final pool match at 2.05pm.
