A flying Fijian in wings

By CHRIS RATTUE

Waikato are about to unleash the latest flying Fijian to hit rugby in this country.

The 22-year-old Filimoni Bolavucu will be lurking on the reserves bench when they take on Northland - who will include Rupeni Caucaunibuca - in Whangarei tomorrow.

At 80kg, Bolavucu is 10kg lighter than the brilliant Caucaunibuca. But Bolavucu, the son of a Fijian amateur boxing champion, has a favourite phrase: "I might not be big, but I'm big on the inside."

Bolavucu has played for Fiji under-21s, plus the national sevens side for the past two seasons.

He signed a two-year contract after being pursued by Waikato, who have also signed Fijian-born Chiefs and Counties Manukau wing Sitiveni Sivivatu for next season.

Waikato team and high-performance manager Glenn Ross says Bolavucu has pace to match or better the quickest Waikato have fielded in recent years, including Roger Randle.

"He hasn't been fully tested yet but he would be up there with the quickest we've had, probably quicker. Speed is his great commodity."

Bolavucu is a Chiefs candidate, and Waikato/Chiefs coach Ian Foster said: "He's come over here with some ambitions to play at a top level. So far what he is doing to achieve that is pretty spot on."

Bolavucu played 30 minutes for Waikato B last week against Wellington, scoring a brilliant try.

Fijian captain Greg Smith is back in after returning from the short tour of South America. But Waikato have lost lock Chresten Davis to a minor ankle injury in training, giving Dave Duley his first Waikato start.

Former Counties Manukau captain Wayne McEntee also gets his first Waikato NPC start, and Foster has brought back Rhys Duggan and David Hill in the halves.

Northland centre Norm Berryman has missed two training sessions with the flu, but is expected to be fit, while Caucaunibuca has completed two training sessions since returning from Fiji's tour.

"He trained a bit gingerly at first, but mind you, he'd had an 18-hour flight and a two-and-a-half hour car trip to get here," coach Donny Stevenson said.



Northland: Jared Going, Fero Lasagavibau, Norm Berryman, Jason Shoemark, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, James Arlidge, Sam Payne; Jake Paringatai, Luke Ottley, Mose Tuiali'i, Glenn Taylor (capt), Lee Jones, Tim Knight, Tim Dow, Bronson Murray. Res: Bobby Larkins, Ted Carew, Brad Taylor, Tu Tamarua; Lee Peina, Sam Davis, Manu Burkhardt-McRae.

Waikato: Loki Crichton, Sosene Anesi, Regan King, Keith Lowen, Matt Priscott, David Hill, Rhys Duggan; Steven Bates, Wayne McEntee, Jono Gibbes (capt), Keith Robinson, Dave Duley, Deacon Manu, Greg Smith, David Briggs. Res: Scott Linklater, Michael Collins, Daniel Alofa, Scott Couch; Isaac Boss, Derek Maisey, Filimoni Bolavucu.

Referee: Lachie McLeod.

Kickoff: 2.35pm.