Pacific

Fijiana captain wants to end 7s career with world title

06:54 am on 9 September 2022

Fijiana Sevens captain Rusila Nagasau aims to finish her medal-winning rugby sevens career with a world title this weekend.

The 35-year-old is part of the Fiji squad for the Rugby Sevens World Cup being held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Nagasau has an Olympic Games bronze medal and a Commonwealth Games silver medal.

Fijiana 15s captain Rusila Nagasau. Photo: Screenshot/Oceania Rugby

She said that after the World Cup she will try her hand at the full code of the game - setting her course for the Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, which starts next month, before hanging up her boots.

"I have achieved so much being to the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games and two world cups in 7s," she said.

"My ambition is to be a part of the Fijiana 15s world cup squad if given the opportunity. That is something I would really love to do."

Fijiana 7s coach Saiasi Fuli said the team arrived safely in Cape Town and had a flush session on Tuesday.

"We are now back in full throttle as we gear up for the weekend. It's a knockout format and you have four games to win that prestigious cup," Fuli said.

"It's everyone's dream to win the world cup and we also have that same desire."

The Fijiana 7s team plays its first game against Japan at 11.17pm on Friday.

The winner will advance to play either South Africa or France in the quarter-finals at 7.05am on Sunday.

Maqala out of squad

France-based Fijian international Sireli Maqala has been ruled out of the men's Sevens World Cup.

Head coach Ben Gollings has confirmed that Maqala would not be part of the squad at Cape Town because of difficulties in travel arrangements.

The side continues its preparation and is ready to take on its first opponent which will be decided in the Wales versus South Korea match on Friday night local time.

Fiji last won the World Cup Sevens in 2005.

Vakatawa retires

French rugby star Virimi Vakatawa has announced his retirement after revealing a serious cardiac condition.

The 30-year-old Fijian national has represented France since 2016, scoring 10 tries in 31 international appearances.

A prolific tryscorer in France's domestic competition, Vakatawa scored 49 tries over 145 games for his club Racing 92.

The club's coach and French rugby legend, Fabien Galthié told a media conference in Paris that Vakatawa is one of the greatest players to ever represent France.

"I am emotional, with great sadness, I announce Virimi has played his last three matches with the French team. When we picked up the team, he was a key player to our game and story. He was exceptional."