The Taveuni Grassroots under-20 rugby team is excited and prepared to face off against top competitors in the youth division of the McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji Sevens tournament, which kicks off tomorrow at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Under the guidance of former national sevens star Sireli Bobo, the team feels optimistic despite having a limited preparation window.
“We are in our second week of training, but we won’t let that hinder our performance in this significant sevens tournament,” Bobo stated with determination. The team has focused their efforts on thorough preparation, aiming not just to participate but to contend for the $10,000 prize.
The tournament’s eligibility criteria specify that only players born in January 2006 or later can take part, which has resulted in the team retaining just three members from the Fiji Sports Council Grassroots development program. The rest of the squad has been assembled from various locations, including Ba, Namosi, Ratu Navula, and Tailevu, under tight timelines.
The Taveuni team has drawn a challenging pool in the competition, facing off against defending champions Broncos and last year’s finalists, RKS, from their Grassroots Sevens competition. Bobo emphasizes the competitive nature of the tournament, saying, “There will be no easy matches in a prestigious tournament like this.”
However, he remains hopeful and confident in his young team’s potential to deliver some surprises. “Despite the limited time to prepare, our aim is not just to participate but to win the youth category.” With a strong spirit and determination, the Taveuni Grassroots under-20 team is ready to make their mark in the tournament.
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