Waimanu in revival mode

The Fiji Times - Thursday, November 05, 2009 5:26 PM

THE Waimanu Rugby Club will be out to break a three years losing jinx in local tournaments at the Suva Sevens Series which starts at Laucala tomorrow.

The Naitasiri-based team’s last victory was at the PWD Bure 7s tournament at the National Stadium in 2006.

Club coach Sailosi Naiteqe Snr said their number one side would want to re-establish its name as one of the top guns in the abbreviated code on the local scene.

Naiteqe said Waimanu will field two teams with their top side pooled with Suva II, Nabukavesi, Young Boys and Nasolo.

“The players are confident of a good fight against the other teams,” he said.

"We have prepared really well for this tournament. It's being quite sometime now since we last won a 7s tournament.

“We'll aim to mark our comeback by recording a win at the Suva tournament."

The club will miss the services of Flying Fijian Jimilai Naikadawa, Nasoni Roko and Wise Vatuvoka who are committed with the national 7s team for the three-match Europe tour.

"I really want to have these players (Jimilai, Roko and Wise) but it's unfortunate they're going. I will rely on my young guns," Naiteqe said.

"I believe they will prove their worth. Because the plan is to treat every game as a final starting from the first game.

"We can't afford to underestimate any team. All knows how to play sevens rugby and this is going to be a tough one."

The winners and runners-up will qualify for the International 7s section of the Suva Rugby Festival in January.
Pools
 Pool 1 - Army One, Tovata Babas, St Patrick, Wardens Two
 Pool 2 - Harlequins One, Army Two, Gladiators, Senibua
 Pool 3 - Sandhill One, Cakaunivalu Babas, Calia, Red Rock Two
 Pool 4 - St Michael Namosi, Veiyasana, Police Blue Two, Nakula Youths
 Pool 5 - Suva One, Brotherhood Eagles, Waimanu, Veisari
Pool 6 - Police Blue One, Newtown, Navosai Young Boys, Nabua Two
 Pool 7 - Ratu Filise, Marist, LDU Savura, Harlequins Two
 Pool 8 - RAU Faith, Fosters, Explosion Young Boys, Davetalevu
 Pool 9 - Red Rock One, Ono Kadavu, Tosa Bussan, Vatuwaqa,
Pool 10 - Lomaiviti, Veivatuloa, Castaway Lami, Nabukavesi Babas
Pool 11 - Nabua, Navucukia Babas, Kadavu, Sandhill Bulls
Pool 12 - Nasinu, Fiji Indo, Fire NFA, St Peters Vuiya
 Pool 13 - Waimanu One, Suva Two, Nabukavesi Young Boys, Nasolo Young Boys
 Pool 14 - Wardens One, QVSOB, Army Three, Bau.