After a six-month hiatus due to a serious shoulder injury, Army forward Kavekini Tanivanuakula is making a remarkable comeback with the Fiji Airways Fiji Men’s 7s team for the upcoming Singapore 7s tournament. Hailing from Ba and representing the Bukuya community, Tanivanuakula’s recovery journey has been one of gratitude, which he attributes to divine intervention.
Reflecting on his time away from rugby, Tanivanuakula said, “I was out for six months due to my injury, but through God’s providence, I’ve recovered, and it’s been a call to work on my fitness.”
Making his debut with the national team during the Dubai 7s in 2024, he is eager to make a significant impact upon his return. He credits his parents as his strongest motivators, stating, “My parents have been my biggest motivation, who advise me on a daily basis to fulfill my duties.”
As Tanivanuakula focuses on enhancing his game fitness and improving communication with his teammates, he aims to give his all on the field. With a history of success, having won the Coral Coast Fiji 7s tournament twice representing both the Army and the Fiji Blues, he is no stranger to competitiveness.
He emphasized the team’s dedication to preparation for the Singapore 7s, identifying communication and defense as key areas for improvement. “Our preparation has been good, and we’re working to improve in several areas such as communication and defense,” Tanivanuakula noted. He expressed great pride in representing his country again: “It will be an honor, and I will give my 100 percent on the field.”
The Fiji team is also welcoming two debutants for the tournament: Malolo rugby fullback Douglas Daveta and Dominion Brothers utility Nacani Boginisoko. They are preparing for strong competition in Pool A, facing formidable opponents including South Africa, Great Britain, and Spain. Their schedule kicks off with a match against Great Britain at 4:32 PM on Saturday, followed by games against Spain at 7:58 PM and South Africa at 11:46 PM. The Men’s Cup semi-finals will be held at 6:52 PM Sunday, culminating in the final at 11:41 PM.
Meanwhile, the Fijiana 7s team is set to compete against Cape Town champions Australia, USA, and Japan in their own pool. Excitement builds as the tournament is set to unfold this weekend, promising thrilling matches for both men’s and women’s competitions. This narrative of recovery, motivation, and competition adds a hopeful tone to the upcoming events in Singapore.