FORMER national rugby rep Simeli Koniferedi, will be back in action next week in the Mana Whey Fiji Coral Coast 7s at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka.
The former Test fullback, 33, has been named in newcomers, the USA Stars team, alongside former Nadroga teammate Joseva Rakabu who plays for Washington Rugby Club in the US.
“USA Stars 7s team is thrilled to be making our debut at the Mana Whey Fiji Coral Coast 7s,” team member Elizabeth Entwhistle said in an email yesterday.
“Our team has players and coaches hailing from Fiji and it has been a dream destination for us given the hospitality, the friendliness, and the quality of rugby in the islands. Our trip has benefited from the help of one of USA-based coaches, Jovilisi Fotofili.
“One of our players, Joseva Rakabu, returned home to Fiji for his wedding and is hosting us in his village for meals, church and a tour of the sand dunes. We also welcome Fiji 7s and 15s veteran Simeli Koniferedi and there’s James Boozer from the USA who is working in Fiji.
“James is hosting us for an outing when we land on the 15th. We will visit Tagaqe District School and the Sigtaoka School for Special Education, and we have co-ordinated a tattoo artist to come to our accommodation for players wanting traditional tattoos.”
The team reached the semi-finals of the Central Coast 7s. They beat the Fiji Airways Fijiana 21-19 in pool play.
“The USA Stars is an invitational side which travels the world playing 7s rugby. They were in Australia last October playing in the Central Coast 7s,” Fiji Coral Coast 7s founding chairman Jay Whyte said.
“They have always wanted to come and play in Fiji. Theses overseas teams spend a lot of money coming here and that’s an indication of how they value coming to Fiji to play in this tournament.
“There will some Australian women’s players from the gold medal side and there is a Canadian player and they will be a very strong team.
“We have 16 men’s teams, nine women’s teams led by the Fijiana, and there’s the Uprising Youth 7s which includes a team coached and assisted by Waisake Naholo.”
