Serevi returns to doing what he wants

Fiji Times - Sunday, April 06, 2008 7:50 AM

WITH all eyes on former Fiji sevens coach/player Waisale Serevi for reasons other than playing, the maestro has returned to doing what he is best at.

Serevi will play at the YC&AC Japan Sevens today.

He leads the Gaitame.com YC&AC team in the 50th edition of the tournament and is confident that the host can top last year's effort, when it beat Top League side Toyota Verblitz in the final of the plate, and go all the way.

"I'll be joining an invitational team called the All-Stars and since returning from Hong Kong, I can't wait to play again," Serevi said.

With the saga of payments and sabotage rife in Fiji, Serevi is looking forward to playing his part at the tournament.

"We said that we want to win the trophy," Serevi told Daily Yomiuri.

Joining Serevi in the team is Nathan Ashley, captain of the Japan sevens team at the 2005 Sevens World Cup, and Kiwis James Maher (making his third trip to Japan to play for the YC&AC) and Sione Kepu, who spent two seasons with Toshiba Brave Lupus.

Maher, who has played more than 50 games for Counties Manukau in the Air New Zealand Cup has brought with him Tekori Luteru, while Ashley has pulled in David Kelaher, a former captain the Australian sevens team.

Despite the varied background of the players, Serevi is confident the team will be a force to be reckoned with.