Sevens: Fomai awaits last cut

CIRCUIT AWAITS: Hawke's Bay's Neria Fomai, right, with Bay teammates is one cut away from playing at the Wellington Sevens. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND

Mates of Hawke's Bay Sevens player Neria Fomai warned him about his new Samoa coach Sir Gordon Tietjens' legendary training sessions.

"They definitely weren't sugar coating anything. I've had a week with Sir Gordon now and his sessions are pretty brutal," Fomai said at the weekend.

"There are plenty of full field drills and they are all high intensity. You sprint from drill to drill and there isn't much rest in between. Just when you think you are getting a rest he throws in a sneaky sprint ... you always have to be on your toes."

The only member of the Aerospread Ltd Hawke's Bay team which played at the January 14 and 15 nationals in Rotorua with a chance of playing in the Wellington leg of the World Series circuit this weekend, Fomai, 24, has made former All Blacks Sevens mentor Tietjens initial squad of 14 to prepare for Wellington and will hear later today or tomorrow if he has made the playing 12.

The Hastings Rugby and Sports club player last played for the Samoa Sevens team in 2013 during the Scotland and London legs of the circuit.

A midfielder or pivot, Fomai, admitted he was surprised by his recall which came at the end of the nationals.

Within hours of the nationals finishing Fomai was driving from Rotorua to Mount Maunganui to begin a week-long training camp with the Samoan squad which will fly from Tauranga to Wellington this morning.

"I know I played pretty well in Rotorua but I've still got a lot of things to work on. I've got to be more precise around the ruck area and on defence. I've got to keep performing at our training sessions because you never know what Sir Gordon is thinking."

Hawke's Bay's 2016 Club Rugby Player of the Year, Fomai was proud of Hawke's Bay's top eight finish in Rotorua.

"I'm reaping the rewards. At the same time I'm gutted for Billy and Mason but their opportunities will come," Fomai said, referring to Magpies Billy Ropiha and Mason Emerson who missed out on selection for the All Blacks Sevens team.

A former forward in sevens, Fomai, heaped kudos on Magpies fitness trainer Luke Stephenson for the work he has done in getting Fomai in the right condition to focus on the backline roles.

"I've dropped from 98kg to 94.5. Luke has done everything right with my nutrition, fitness and skills and I've still been able to keep a bit of strength."

Should Fomai, a caregiver for Hohepa Home School, make the 12 for this weekend, when the Samoans take on New Zealand, the United States and France in pool play, his goal will be to play well so he retains his berth for the Sydney leg of the circuit on February 4 and 5.

A second five-eighth in 15s and Hawke's Bay Saracens and Hawke's Bay Samoan rep last year, Fomai is hoping some quality displays on the circuit will enhance his chances of Magpies selection this year.

"Making the step up to the next level has to be a goal. I've had offers from other unions but I will see what Hawke's Bay comes up with first. It is a case of one step at a time."

A father of one, Fomai, pointed out there aren't any players left in the Samoan squad from his last stint.

"It's a whole different squad. There's a lot of talent coming through the islands these days."

He is enjoying becoming familiar with the Samoan national anthem as well as the Samoan Siva Tau war dance again.

No doubt the challenge this provides is no where near the magnitude of the challenge of coping with Tietjens' training sessions.