Livai Ikanikoda

Livai Ikanikoda will not feature in the last tournament of this season’s world series in Paris.

Coach Gareth Baber has named Napolioni Ratu ahead of Ikanikoda while Isoa Tabu is the 13th player.

Baber says on-field communications is important in maintaining the flow of the game and in ensuring the team capitalizes on every opportunity present.

Baber says despite having new players in the team, they have developed a communication strategy that made them the number one 7’s rugby team in the world.

‘You know. Obviously, we’re competing with America, where the team has been together for five years. You’ve got players that’s 31 and 32 years of age and they’ve been together for five years. That counts for a huge amount in terms of your ability to win games. We are going into this tournament with the 11^th most experienced team in the world, at the moment we’re number one. For these boys who have worked so hard, I just want to see them finish it off this year’.

The Fiji 7s team for the Paris’ leg:

Sevuloni Mocenacagi
Josua Vakurunabili
Asaeli Tuivuaka
Paula Dranisinukula [c]
Apenisa Cakaubalavu
Meli Derenalagi
Vilimoni Botitu
Waisea Nacuqu
Jerry Tuwai
Alasio Naduva
Aminiasi Tuimaba
Napolioni Ratu
Isoa Tabu [13th player]

Our Fiji Airways Fijian 7s went on a Community visit, putting smiles ? on the faces of these Parisian children yesterday. The kids enjoyed the presence of our heroes.#tosoviti ?? pic.twitter.com/IpuJ4aRTSx

— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) May 31, 2019

Fiji fans. We love you. ? #London7s pic.twitter.com/Fce2HM1LaZ

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 25, 2019

Meanwhile, the New Zealand 7s team was named as well.

With Olympic qualification in the bag the team will be looking to end the season on a strong point to celebrate co-Captain Scott Curry’s 50th outing on the Sevens Series.

The NZ team for Paris 7s:

1. Scott Curry (cc)
2. Tim Mikkelson (cc)
3. Tone Ng Shiu
4. Joseva Ravouvou
5. Dylan Collier
6. Jona Nareki
7. Amanaki Nicole
8. Andrew Knewstubb
9. Regan Ware
10. Ngarohi McGarvey-Black
11. Joe Webber
12. Sione Molia

*Vilimoni Koroi is the travelling reserve.

With the series due to kick off tomorrow, and Fiji and USA fighting for the top spot, this weekend’s Paris 7s is building up to be one of the most exciting finishes to a Rugby World Series in recent time.

Fiji plays England at 10.50pm on Saturday, meets Argentina 2.16am on Sunday and the final pool match is vs Ireland at 5.42am Sunday.

You can watch the entire tournament live on FBC TV.

[Source: allblacks.com]