THE squads for the Men’s Sevens at Tokyo later this month have been confirmed and the standout selection has to be Semi Radradra, who is something of a surprise call up for Fiji having not played Sevens for three years.
After an injury-disrupted season, Radradra is much fresher than he might have expected while after the disappointment of losing out in that Premiership title race, he will be very motivated.
Certainly coach Gareth Baber has no doubts: “I know him as an individual, an athlete and he keeps himself in a supreme condition,” he said. “He is blessed to have the skill level of a Sevens player and has done remarkable work for us when he played for us either in Sevens or fifteens.”
Fiji actually include only one player from their gold medal-winning team from 2016, skipper Jerry Tuwai, but such are their resources that they will unquestionably start as favourites. Look out for former captain Kalione Nasoko, a powerhouse forward, who is making up for lost time after nearly two years out after an ACL operation and problematic rehab.
Two players who know all about rehab are the influential US Eagles pair of Perry Baker and Folau Niua. USA coach Mike Friday had been resigned to being without Baker – the long striding 20.9 secs 200m man – who broke his leg in February but the flying wing has staged a remarkable comeback and confirmed his fitness at the recent Quest for Gold Sevens tournament in Los Angeles.
It was in LA that Niua, the Eagles’ most capped Sevens player – also completed his comeback after nearly 18 months out with a leg break and complications. With Carlin Isles still on board and as rapid as ever, the Eagles will be dangerous outsiders, determined to make up for a disappointing showing at Rio.
Australia haven’t hesitated in introducing their 15s star Samu Kerevi to proceedings but New Zealand have resisted the temptation to pull any rabbits out of the hat. The strength of their squad can be gauged by the fact Caleb Clarke, who has been pulling up trees for the last year or so, is only a travelling reserve.
BRENDAN GALLAGHER
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