17 Mar 2014

Sport: Fiji and Samoa make mass changes for Japan Sevens

12:38 pm on 17 March 2014

A number of familiar faces have been recalled to the Fiji sevens team, who fly out on Monday ahead of this weekend's World Series leg in Tokyo.

Vatemo Ravouvou is the only new cap among the six changes from the squad that finished third in Wellington last month.

Head coach Ben Ryan has also given recalls to Apisai Domolailai, Jasa Veremalua, Waisea Nacuqu, a fit again Pio Tuwai and former captain Setefano Cakau, who has returned from a stint in Sri Lanka.

Ryan says Cakau earned his place after impressing at the Marist Sevens.

"He was in excellent form, particularly in day two when they had the tough games - he really stood up and can play a number of positions so I'm not worried about his age if he's sprightly as the rest of the boys. We're a little bit short on experience and he provides that, as well as his great individual play as well. I think he might even be Fiji's most-capped sevens player so it's great to have him in and it's a real boost to the team".

Meanwhile Samoa head coach Viliamu Punivalu has made seven changes from the Wellington tournament, with none of his injured players having recovered in time.

Both countries are in Pool C alongside France and the USA.

Meanwhile the Fijiana women's sevens team have been drawn alongside Australia, England and Ireland in Pool B for next month's World Series event in Guangzhou, China.