Police retains Coral Coast Sevens title, Paul and Yalayalatabua for Welly, William Ryder for a call up?, Fijiana Makosoi wins Women’s title and Lavenia Tinai creates history.
The Fiji Coral Coast Sevens is an International Invitational Sevens Tournament held in the rugby town of Sigatoka every year. This year was no different as the German, Aussie Thunderbolts and Aussie Pearls together with the Serevi Select side from the United States brought international flavor to the tournament to compete with the best local club sides in Fiji.
Police retains Coral Coast Sevens title
The defending champions Police laced with former Fiji sevens reps in Livai Ikanikoda, Mitieli Nacagilevu, Manu Laqai and hot kid on the block Keponi Paul defeated Wardens to retain their title 26-10 and also created history in being the first team to win the title back to back.
The Police side headed to the final after beating Tabadamu in the semis who were laced with former Fiji sevens reps in Setefano Cakau, Emosi Vucago and Leo Naikasau while the Wardens defeated the giant killers Ratu Filise from Namatakula in the other side of the draw.
Winning the Coral Coast Sevens has also earned Police an invitation to the Central Coast Sevens in Australia a sister tournament to the Coral Coast Sevens.
Paul and Yalayalatabua for Welly
Keponi Paul who was under Ben Ryan’s radar for sometime now put in another show throughout the tournament to strengthen his claim for a spot to the upcoming Wellington Sevens. Abele Yalayalatabua of Wardens also staked his claim for a spot at the Cake Tin. The player of the tournament Seva Nadruku could also push for a spot so are Levani Tani of Ratu Filise and the rover from Wardens Filipo Daugunu who caught Ben Ryan’s eyes.
Speaking to the Fiji Times Ryan said, “Daugunu played well, He’s a good youngster, he’s in our system Fiji u20.” After the final Ryan said, “He had a quite final Police looked after him well”
However, Ben Ryan has only drafted in Filipo Daugunu, Josua Vili Goneduadua of Uluinakau Babas and Westfield’s 21-year old prop Masivesi Dakuwaqa to his extended squad.
Fiji’s Head Coach Ben Ryan who was using this Tournament as a chance to scout for new players rested his trump cards in Pio Tuwai, Jerry Tuwai, captain Oscar Kolinisau, Jasa Veremalua, Saracens bound Savenaca Rawaca, Vatemo Ravouvou and Apisai Domolailai.
Ryan, however, released Isake Katonibau and Emosi Mulevoro to feature for the First Landing team which defeated the Tom Lucas led Aussie Thunderbolts side in the Plate final. Ryan also released Alivereti Veitokani, Nemani Naqusa,Kitione Taliga and Sevuloni Mocenacagi to play for respective club sides.
The draw card of the tournament though was the return of twinkle toed William Ryder and Hitman Sireliu Naqelevuki who were both part of the Waisale Serevi led Fiji side that brought home the first World Sevens Series title.
William Ryder for a call up?
William Ryder according to many fans did well to earn a call up as he led his young Red Rock side well and finished the tournament as the second highest try scorer. He entertained the crowd with his footwork and skills that brought back many memories to the fans especially the way he mesmerized the rugby world at 2005 Sevens World Cup in Hong Kong where Fiji picked up its second Melrose Cup title.
The three day tournament was a success as it unearthed many talents which will interest Ben Ryan greatly. The shock of the tournament came in the quater finals as the Ratu Filise side from the village of Namatakula, home to Lote Tuqiri, the guest ambassador this year, Nemani Nadolo, Tevita Kuridrani and the great dual international Noa Nadruku brought the high flying Aussie Thunderbolts to it’s knees. The Aussies who were led by the experienced Tom Lucas, rookie Henry Hutchison, Steffan Van Der Walt and Marvin Barba, brother of National Rugby League superstar Ben Barba were taken to task by the village side full of unknowns and were defeated at the death by 26-24.
Fijiana Makosoi wins Womens Title
The Telecom Fijiana Makosoi side defeated the Serevi Select from the United States to win the Womens title and also walked away with the $20,000 prize money. The Lavenia Tinai led side defeated the Select side 36-10 with the latter crossing in for the last two tries which had the spectators in awe after she displayed some great footwork and sold a dummy from halfway to run the tram-line untouched to score while the final try was from a intercept after some good rush line defence by the local girls which had the Americans in sixes and then passed to her and the rover outpaced them all to dive under the post.
The Fijiana side which was divided into two teams were using this tournament to test new upcoming players and rested National captain Ana Roqica and “Woman Mountain” Litia Naiqato for the tournament. The Fijiana Tagimoucia side lost in the semis to the Serevi Select side while the Makosoi side defeated the Aussie Pearls side in the other semi.
Lavenia Tinai creates history
The Fijiana Makosoi captain Lavenia Tinai created history by being the first woman to win the Jonah Lomu Medal for being the highest top try scorer, scoring seven tries in the tournament ahead of former Fiji rugby sevens star William Ryder who had five tries equal with her Fijiana team mate Asinate Savu.
In a country full of Sevens stars it was special for a lady to walk away with this title and it only shows the world of rugby thatthe not only Fiji can produce many male rugby sevens try scoring machines but women too.
Tinai also had a great tournament leading a side laced with new players in the likes of young rookie Jiowana Sauto who you will see more of in the upcoming Women’s World Sevens Series and former netball international Vaiti Waqatabu. After the tournament, Raijeli Daurewa a rover with the Striders team has forced her way into the Fijiana squad after some brilliant performance for her side.
Good leadership was what got the Makosoi team through on the finals day with Tinai leading her troops in defence and attack with great help from Fijiana team mates in Rusila Nagasau, Asinate Savu, Tima Tamoi and the twinkle toed Tima Ravisa who also had two tries in the final.
With another succesful tournament over and done with, the organisers look forward to the next edition as the popularity of the tournament grows. they were fortunate this year to have some notable names from the overseas media in the likes of Sean Maloney of Australia and Brian Hightower of NBC who were both guest commentators.
As the Fiji Men’s side look forward to the Wellington and the Sydney leg of the World Sevens series, the Fijiana side will focus on the their trip to Sao Paulo and the Last Word on Sports team wish them the best and we expect new names in the the team and possibly the return of a certain Semi Kunatani.
Stay tuned for in-depth coverage of the Wellington Sevens on Last Word on Sports with Scott Hornell and Jovilisi Waqa.
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