Matana to replace Talacolo, Mocenacagi in doubt

Fiji 7s Head Coach Ben Gollings says Raiwasa Taveuni forward Jeremaia Matana is highly-likely to replace injured Joseva Talacolo at this weekend's HSBC London 7s. 

 

Gollings in a video interview said Matana, who is their 13th player, is hungry to make his appearance for Fiji after missing his selecetion at the Toulouse 7s last week. 

 

He said there are slight chances that lanky forward Sevuloni Mocenacagi will make a comeback for Fiji after falling to a knee injury at the tournament last week. 

 

"Just yeah Joe's been unwell, so we won't look at using him to enable him to recover and get back to full fitness."

 

"In terms of Sevu, obviously he was a great inclusion. He has got a minor injury. So we're just monitoring that. And there are a few hurdles to jump in terms of getting him to London but if we can, we will look at using him if he gets through fit."

 

"We travelled from Fiji with 13 players so we've got Jeremaia Matana, who I left out this week, who's really hungry to play and I'm actually excited for him to play."

 

"So he jumps in and covers one of those positions. So really, we've got a fully fit 12.  It's looking at several in terms of that 13 barrier and if Sevu doesn't pull through then I think either we go in with 13 or 12 or we'll look at a 13 we're just kind of going through that today."

 

"Obviously, having finished the tournament, we're just going through all of the processes now. But in terms of the squad itself, we're in a really good position; boys are fully fit and will freshen up. And I think they're excited to get to London," Gollings said. 

 

Fiji is in Pool A of the London 7s with Spain, Wales and the US. 

 

By Romeka Romena