Briefs: Ryder at his best, Suva 7s

The Fiji Times - Friday, November 06, 2009 6:58 PM

TWINKILING toes William Ryder proved he has superior 7s skills and is still one of the best players in the code capable of donning the national jumper.

The Bua native guided his star studded Wardens side to win all their pool games of the Suva Sevens Series which started today and ends tomorrow.

Ryder teamed up with Digicel 7s teammates Jerry Burotu, Lepani Nabuliwaqa and Nadi speedster Vima Tuidraki.

Organisers expect the Bua native is expected to entertain the crowd heading into the knockout stages of the game.

The Wardens team had a default win over Bau then thumped Army Three 47-0 before a second half comeback to deny Queen Victoria School Old Boys team in the last pool game at Bidesi Park.

Coach Joe Savou was impressed with the performance of his players

TANI AT HIS BEST
VODAFONE Fiji Bati rugby league player Kaliova Tani was again at his usual best as he dazzled defenders to score two valuable tries for Ratu Filise as they trounced the Harlequins 26-0 at the National Stadium today.

Tani with his sidestepping skills dotted his first try with his first touch of the ball. He then set up another try before showing his upper body strength to burst through three Harlequins defeners for his second try in the second spell.

Returning fresh from the Pacific Cup in Papua New Guinea, Tani and fellow Bati mates Jone Macilai and Joe Ravueta led the Namatakula based team by example on thier first game.

Ravueta stunned the Harlequins players with his gusty speed and strength outwide. Macilai led the forwards charge which also has the likes of young Etika Tovilevu.

Ratu Filise is expected to fire their remaining weapons on the final day of competition today.

RED ROCK STARTS WELL
RED Rock One’s strong start has sent a clear warning to other teams after demolishing Vatuwaqa 29-0 on thier first game at Bidesi Park yesterday.

Led by the powerful Ponipate Kato, Red Rock looked sharp to proved to be a top contender to qualify for the knockout stages tomorrow.

Red Rock head coach Lote Rasiga said they have made a good start in the tournament.

"I'm really happy with the way the boys played. This is a good start but we have to put the win behind and focus on our next games."

Rasiga said the tournament would get more tougher as they march on to the knockout stages today.

Red Rock Two set the platform for their number one seed team after beating Sandhills One 10-5 in the second game of the tournament.

BROWN FLAT FOOTED
FORMER national sevens rep James Brown was flat footed after a Sitiveni Kunaivalu of Veisari showed his foot skills in front of the giant forward.

He could not hold his balance the nippy Veisari player slipped past him to score a try.

However, Brown was instrumental for the Suva One team as it beat Veisari 22-14 in the fourth game of the Suva 7s Sereis at the tfl National Stadium yesterday.

MURTI”S HANDS ON EXPERIENCE
FIJI Indo rugby player Edwin Murti had his first taste of competitive rugby during the Suva 7s Series at Laucala.

The Indo-Fijian national rep said he had finally broke one of his toughest barrier to play a real physical rugby game.

Murti said grabbed this opportunity which was a huge learning experience for him.

"This is my first rugby game against the Fijians. It's really enjoyable and I believe if we have more game time then we'll be competitive locally."

"We've learned a lot from this tournament and we're looking forward to more of this in the future," he said.

Murti, the Fiji Indo rugby president said they still have a long way to go with development and has urged the Fiji Rugby Union to re-look at the Indo Fijian rugby in the country.

"We need more development and it would be appreciated if the FRU organize more tournaments for us. We need to play competitive rugby and I think this is the first step to another chapter of rugby for us," he said.

The Indo Fijian national side lost all their three matches but should make a comeback heading into the elimination rounds today.

Murti plays for Nadi Airport in club competition.