The head coach of the National Under-20 rugby team, Senirusi Seruvakula, is set to finalize his 30-member squad by the end of January. This announcement comes as the team gears up for two important tournaments happening in New Zealand in March: the Oceania tournament and the Super U20 competition.
Seruvakula has indicated that most of the players chosen for the extended squad were selected from the Vodafone Deans trophy competition held last year. He also noted that there is considerable interest from overseas-based players, with some already participating in training sessions with the team.
“The main focus for us will be these two tournaments,” Seruvakula stated, explaining that the national U20 team will compete in the Oceania tournament and will later represent the Drua U20 in the Super Rugby U20 competition. He mentioned that the Oceania tournament will feature teams from Tonga, Samoa, and Moana Pasifika.
The team is scheduled to depart in the last week of February, with the Oceania tournament taking place in the first week of March. After a short rest following this event, the players will prepare for the subsequent tournament, which will span approximately one and a half weeks.
To finalize his team, Seruvakula and his coaching staff will conduct open trials in Duva, Sigatoka, and Nadi on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, respectively.
This approach enables the coaching staff to assess fresh talent and ensure that the team is well-rounded and competitive for the upcoming tournaments. The excitement surrounding the trials and the inclusion of overseas players could enhance the team’s performance and boost their chances in these prestigious competitions.
Overall, the commitment to developing young talent and the focus on international competition reflects a promising future for rugby in the region.
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