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Struggling Fiji set projected return date for their Sevens skipper
By Chris Jones
Fiji sevens prop Paula Draunisinikula is ready to take over the leadership of the team’s defence of their HSBC Hong Kong Sevens title if captain Kalione Nasoko fails to recover from his cartilage injury.
Draunisinikula was given the captaincy when Nasoko was hurt as the team finished third in the Canada 7s in Vancouver, which means the reigning Olympic champions continue to trail leaders USA and New Zealand in the standings.
Draunisinikula, who admitted the injury-hit Fijian squad has “lots of improvements” to make, added: “I hope he recovers in time and if not then I will be ready to lead but it all rests with the team management.
"We learned a lot (in Canada) and there are new players in the team and therefore there is a change in our rhythm. It will be okay in the coming tournaments and it will take time. There are lots of improvements to be done before going to the Hong Kong.”
Coach Gareth Baber revealed Nasoko has been troubled previously by a cartilage issue in his knee and it will be a race against time to get the captain fit for the Hong Kong leg (April 5-7), which is followed a week later by the Singapore tournament. Nasoko was having a scan on the knee on Friday to determine the extent of the damage.
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Baber is having to bring in new faces to cover for the loss of more experienced players and can ill afford to lose Nasoko if Fiji are to make up ground on the two teams ahead of them in the table.
The coach told the Fiji Sun: “This is a niggling cartilage issue on his knee. Nasoko is going to be having a scan to confirm exactly where the damage is. It’s a cartilage for certain and again it depends on how much fluid your body gains beside your knee.
"Also what the recovery period will look like and at this stage we're making a suggestion of about three weeks but we will know more after the scan.”
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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