Fiji name Games sevens rugby squad

Fijian player-coach Waisale Serevi has named a powerful side for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games sevens rugby.

He has retained seven players from last year's World Cup winning squad, Apolosi Satala, Semisi Naevo, Marika Vunibaka, Jone Daunivucu, William Ryder and Neumi Nanuku among them.

"I have got experience in this side and have confidence in these players," Serevi said.

The squad include four players who won the silver medal after losing in the final against New Zealand at the 2002 Games in Manchester. They are Serevi, Norman Ligairi, Naevo and former Crusaders winger Vunibaka.

Fiji will miss former Wellington wing and now France-based Sireli Bobo, who is unavailable.

Veteran forward Ifereimi Rawaqa is out with a hamstring injury and strong tackler Viliame Satala failed to make the side.

The surprise inclusion is utility back Lepani Nabuliwaqa.

Bay of Plenty wing Filimoni Bolavucu has also made the squad.

The Fijians are leading the 2005-06 international sevens series and look set to end New Zealand's dominance of the series and the games gold medal.

No other team has won either the series or the games gold medal.

Wallabies star Lote Tuqiri, who is in the strong Australian team for the games, rates Fiji as the team to beat.

Tuqiri and fellow Wallabies Matt Giteau, Scott Fava, Chris Latham and Cameron Shepherd are bolstering the Australian campaign.

"They (Fiji) could probably put two or three teams together and still go quite well," he told Australian Associated Press.

"New Zealand, obviously, they've dominated the IRB Sevens circuit for the last four or five years, they'll be tough to beat.

"South Africa's always strong in sevens, and England will be the other one," Tuqiri said.

Fiji squad:

Apolosi Satala, Semisi Naevo, Marika Vunibaka, Sireli Naqelevuki, Dale Tonawai, Jone Daunivucu, Lepani Nabuliwaqa, William Ryder, Norman Ligairi, Neumi Nanuku, Filimoni Bolavucu, Waisale Serevi.

- NZPA