Savou praised

Fiji Times - Saturday, December 08, 2007 9:38 AM

NATIONAL sevens coach Josateki Savou has been praised for unearthing a new combination in the team during the first leg of the IRB Sevens World Series.

Rugby pundit Reverend Joji Rinakama said Savous confidence in blooding seven new players on the international scene would help shape the future of rugby in Fiji.

The Digicel Fiji Sevens team travelled to Dubai and George without big names Waisale Serevi, William Ryder and Lepani Nabuliwaqa.

I think Jo has done a good job. He has been able to blend a new set of players in the absence of Serevi and Ryder, Rinakama said.

The players have repaid Savous confidence in them by playing well against the best teams in the world.

Jo has been able to expose Fijis new talent.

Having played in the shadow of Serevi during his playing days and later as a coach, Savou handed Fiji sevens debuts to Isei Lewaqai, Viliame Maya, Iliesa Ratuva, Epeli Vuniwaqa, Vereniki Goneva, Tomasi Mawi and Saimoni Nuku.

Savou took the national team to the South Pacific Games and won gold.

Rinakama said the new combination of Tomasi Mawi at halfback and Emosi Vucago at flyhalf had worked well.

Mawi is a very good player and he has a bright rugby future in sevens and fifteens, Rinakama said.

He has the speed from the base of the scrum and reads the game very well. I believe can utilize him more because he has shown his potential.

He showed last week in Dubai that he is equally good coming off the bench as an impact player.

Vucago has improved with every game but work needs to be done on his discipline and decision making.