Ryder, Serevi to team up

The Fiji Times - Friday, February 15, 2008 2:40 PM

WAISALE Serevi left for further contract talks with the Taiwanese Rugby Union today but will return to team up with his protégé William Ryder at the Marist Sevens in Suva next month.

Serevi and Ryder will feature for the Suva City Eagles and it is believed giant forward Semisi Naevo could team up with them too.

The Marist Sevens, to be played over March 7-8, will be used as final trial to select the Fiji team for the Hong Kong Sevens.

It is believed seasoned players like Ryder, Naevo and others are keen on fielding the best possible line-up including Serevi to give the maestro and Lepani Nabuliwaqa the chance to make the cut for the trip to Son Kon Po.

Serevi and the tough-tackling and straight-running Nabuliwaqa have fallen out of favour with the national team selectors and the Fiji Rugby Union games committee.

“I’ve heard that Ryder will be here for the Marist Sevens and if he does he is bound to join us as he’d like to play alongside Serevi,” Eagles coach Kalisito Tunaulu said yesterday.

The Eagles have in their rank former national reps Serevi, Nabuliwaqa, Marika Vunibaka, Sailosi Naiteqe together with Ponipate Kato, Asivorosi Tarakinikini and Kelemedi Bola.

One player that has caught the eyes of many including Tunaulu is 18-year-old Peni Rokodiva Junior, the young brother of new national sevens rep Tomasi Mawi.

“He is a budding star,” Tunaulu said yesterday.
“Junior is a utility back and has the potential to go a long way.

“We’re giving him game time on the wing because it allows him freedom to move and play without much restriction.

“He is equally good at halfback and can take on the role of playmaker.”

Serevi is in Taiwan as the Asian side wants him to coach their national team to the Sevens World Cup in Dubai next February.

The Gau man though would prefer a final bow with Fiji in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.