23 Jan 2013

Sport: Fiji duo to miss Wellington Sevens because of military bans

12:28 pm on 23 January 2013

The Fiji sevens team will again be without some of their first-choice players at next week's Wellington Sevens.

Mosese Saunivanua and Emosi Mulevoro were named in a 16-man squad at the weekend, for the Wellington and Las Vegas tournaments.

The pair, along with head coach Alifereti Dere, are unable to enter New Zealand due to a travel ban on those with connections to the Fiji military.

And assistant coach Timoci Wainiqolo, who will coach the team in Wellington, confirmed that the players will only be considered for Las Vegas.

"They are for Las Vegas, not Wellington, because we know that they can't go to Wellington. This is my first time coming to Wellington with the boys. We will try to be at the level that we want to win the Wellington Sevens."

Timoci Wainiqolo says the team has put disappointing performances in South African and Dubai behind them and is confident going into Wellington.