This is information that will make more than one salivate. Semi Radradra at seven. If this at first glance does not appear to be a first, the center of Bristol having already evolved in this discipline, we must however go back to 2012, to find traces of the former Toulon player on the lawns of Seven. Then moved to thirteen, Semi Radradra launched into the fifteenth shortly after, with the success that we know him, today captain of the national team and presented as one of the best players in the world. An extraordinary talent for a player capable of acclimating to all kinds of rugby. So a few months before the Tokyo Olympic Games, RugbyPass relays the words of Gareth Baber, coach of the island team at seven, who relies more than ever on the services of Radradra to win Olympic gold, five years after that obtained at Rio: The release of a player of this ilk is a big demand, and there are also Top 14 players like Vilimoni Botitu and Aminiasi Tuimaba in Castres and Pau respectively. They’re at the top of my list after dropping 7 to go to 15. ” A wish that is achievable, but which will have to be negotiated with Pat Lam, the coach of the Bristol ” Bears ” in order to release his jewel. In any case, the player seems to want it: ”Semi definitely has an intention and a desire to play in the Olympics and there will be conversations with Semi and Pat. ‘‘It now remains to give way to the English leadership. Baber has in any case given himself the means, with a 45-hour trip to London.
An association with Jerry Tuwai?
The Fijian coach’s dearest wish remains to associate Semi Radradra with Jerry Tuwai, a true phenomenon of the sport and voted best player of the decade by his peers: ”Jerry will do the Olympics. He feels responsible and wants to push himself to win a second gold medal. This is his vision. ” An association that is sure to sparkle. However, in addition to Semi Radradra, Baber expresses the fierce desire to repatriate a significant number of individuals evolving in the various XV championships of the Old Continent, in order to bring a strong experience to his group: ”We are working and developing players in Fiji but the problem that new players have is that they have not played any international level rugby sevens match whereas European players have that experience.We can then go about our speculations, whispering the name of a Joshua Tuisova why not. Baber has also indulged in a few indiscretions. Apart from Botitu and Tuimaba quoted a few lines above, he would like to see Semi Kunatani for a time announced from Castres before being turned away for a medical examination, joining the ranks of the Fijian contingent: ”I have been in contact with Semi Kunatani and he had problems with Castres having been discharged for medical reasons. I told him about the fact that if things didn’t work out in France we would consider him part of the training group. He’s a great player“ We also think of a Leone Nakarawa also passed through the seven and today in Glasgow after having made his own in Racing. Imagine for just one second, Radradra, Tuwai, Tuisova, Nakarawa, Kunatani and others donning the Fijian jersey. A constellation of stars.
Unfortunately Covid obliges, no seven-a-side competition has been contested this season, and most teams risk arriving this summer without optimal preparation. Fiji is hoping for the creation of a health bubble, bringing together New Zealand, Australia and Samoa, in order to play some beneficial matches and training. But here again the question of the repatriation of its elements from Europe arises. Between the health crisis and the will of the clubs, it is also difficult to project there: ”The big question will be how far in advance are we going to have them before the Games and can they stay with us in Tokyo? I was hopeful to see all the coaches from their clubs, but that won’t happen, so we’re called by Zoom. I have no doubts that we can bring these players to Fiji. ” A clause also exists with certain clubs, forced to release their players for four Rugby Sevens tournaments in the year. Having had no competitions, the objective will now be to see these players released to so much to participate in the Olympics. In which case, there is no doubt that with such a plethora of staff, Fiji will have enough to scare the planet at seven. And why not confirm their hegemony over the discipline.
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