THE Vodafone Fiji 7s team management will announce its Oceania squad captain before departing the country on Wednesday.
Two players in dreadlock flyer Nasoni Roko and hard hitting Manueli Laqai are two experience players who could be given the captain’s armband.
The evergreen Roko displayed glimpses of speed to prove that he has not lost any of those paces despite age catching up on him while Laqai’s physicality will be crucial upfront.
Fiji 7s team manager Paula Biu said there were some players the team management had in mind to lead the side.
“We have not named our captain yet but we will announce the news before we depart on Wednesday,” he said.
“Players like Nasoni Roko and Manueli Laqai have the experience and either of them can be named to lead the team.
“Roko has been around for some time before he is recalled into the national team while Laqai is also one of the senior players in the team.”
The squad boosts young players such as Waisea Nacuqu, Vatemo Ravouvou, Viliame Mata and Jerry Tuwai.
Fiji is drawn in Pool B with Cook Islands, Solomon Islands and Tahiti. New Zealand is ranked the top seed side at the two-day tournament which kicks off next week Friday.
Australia, Samoa and Tonga are the other teams in the competition that have featured in the HSBC Sevens World Series.
Meanwhile, the Gold Coast squad will remain in camp when national sevens coach Ben Ryan takes the Oceania squad to Australia.
The Oceania tournament will be played alongside the Noosa International 7’s on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on October 3-4.
The team resumed camp at the Uprising Beach Resort in Pacific Harbour on Thursday Ryan looks to touch up the final fringes.
Fiji is drawn in Pool C with Scotland, Portugal and the host nation, Australia at the Gold Coast tournament.
Gold Coast 7s squad:
Apisai Domolailai, Semi Kunatani, Jasa Veremalua, Setefano Cakau, Isake Katonibau, Apisai Naqaliva, Emosi Mulevoro, Osea Kolinisau, Eminoni Nasilasila, Sanivalati Ramuwai, Savenaca Rawaca, Apisalome Waqatabu
Oceania 7s squad:
Manueli Laqai, Eremasi Radrodro, Viliame Mata, Sitiveni Waqa, Apimeleki Mocekula, Jone Qoro, Jerry Tuwai, Waisea Nacuqu, Vatemo Ravouvou, Nasoni Roko, Isikeli Vuruna, Niko Verekauta
