FiJi 7's wrap

[travelling_gerry]

Manu to Force his way into S14 side

Monday, January 25, 2010

WESTERN Force squad member Filipe Manu believes the experience gained from Suva International Sevens will help him in the 2010 Super 14 campaign.
The 29-year-old flanker and three other Western Force sevens players were drafted in the Super 14 franchise last year but did not get a chance to prove themsleves.
Manu hopes to get the break this year after spending a year with the Western Force academy.
"All of us had a good time here (Suva 7s). We had a good experience playing against the Fiji-based and international teams," he said.
"I'm looking forward to joining the Western Force side this year and hopefully get a crack. The experience (gained from playing in the Suva International 7s) definitely will be a boost."
Manu said the tournament was one of its kind.
"We have a very young squad and most of the players were under 19.
"The boys did well and we hoping to come back again next year.
"Actually, I'm planning to come back soon. Everybody here are so friendly and the players have so much talent."
Manu is of Tongan heritage but born in New Zealand and playing in Australia.
He was part of the Melbourne Storm set-up before coming back to rugby union with the South's club in Brisbane.
Manu's younger brother Sika represented New Zealand at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.


http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=138315

[travelling_gerry]

Aussie side to return next year
Monday, January 25, 2010

THE Western Force sevens side has promised to return much better in next year's Suva International Sevens.

Coach Dwayne Nestor said they would try to get a sevens program running to get a formidable side in next year's tournament.

"We want to make sevens program full-time to give other players who cannot make our 15s side a chance in their rugby career."

The Western Force 7s side with most players from its Super 14 franchise team academy lost in the bowl quarter-final of the Suva International 7s.

Nestor said his side made plenty mistakes in the opening matches but improved as the tournament progressed.

"It was an excellent team experience and we expect to come back stronger next year."

With four players from this team named in the Western Force squad for 2010 season, Nestor said the experience these players gained over the weekend would be vital in their Super 14 campaign.

"Fifteens is totally different from the 7s game but hopefully the individual players themselves become better rugby players from the experience gained in the Suva International 7s.

"Hopefully, we are able to make a stronger sevens team by next year and qualify as a top-eight team."

[Burgs]

Wonder if they will put Academy teams in local comps in Perth and perhaps the Darwin comp to gain more experience?
The more exposure they get the better the chance of making the Australian Sevens and therefore the more they improve under ARU investment...

[fulvio sammut]

Yeah, I can see the clubs agreeing to that ....

[Burgs]

So your open Sevens Club teams require under 19's to function?
Wouldn't it be better someone else funding them and then they bring that knowledge/improvement back for the 15 a side season?

[fulvio sammut]

Ah, I see you are referring to 7's comps. I thought you meant the local club comp.

Sorry, as you were.