Players Ponipate Bacaivalu and Meli Tuvusa from the Vinod Patel Ba Skipper Cup are set to join the Chennai Bulls, under the guidance of former Fiji 7s coach Ben Gollings, for the upcoming McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji 7s next week. This exciting development was confirmed by Ba Rugby Union secretary Gaby Kautoga.
The two players will participate following a training clinic at Ba Methodist High School on Tuesday, designed to foster a collaborative partnership between the Bulls and Ba Rugby. This clinic is aimed at under-12 to 18 players who were part of the Nadi Junior 7s last month. Kautoga expressed enthusiasm for the Bulls’ commitment to visit Ba and inspire young rugby talent, marking the start of a series of joint initiatives between the two rugby organizations. Gollings noted that the players are keen to engage with Ba Rugby and share valuable knowledge and experience.
The Chennai Bulls squad will also feature four players from the Indian national team, presenting an excellent opportunity for these athletes to gain experience in high-level 7s competition. Last year’s successful partnership saw Fijian 7s representatives Filipe Sauturaga and Joseva Talacolo instrumental in the Bulls’ triumph at the Indian Premier League 7s.
In the Coral Coast 7s tournament, the Bulls will compete in Pool C alongside teams such as Dominion Brothers, Mike Friday Select, and USA 7s. Fans and rugby enthusiasts can look forward to all the live action starting next Thursday on FBC Sports. This engagement not only reinforces international rugby ties but also highlights the increasing popularity and development of the sport in the region. The growth of such collaborations promises to positively influence the rugby landscape by inspiring future generations of players.