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Two of the greats of Rugby Sevens will team up for the first time ever at the Uprising Beach Resort International Sevens this weekend.

Waisale Serevi, who dominated the sport from his debut in 1989 through to his retirement in 2005, and Gordon Tietjens, the most successful coach ever with over 500 wins in international Rugby Sevens, will coach the Digicel Matai Text Select team, one of 16 taking to the National Stadium in Suva.

Serevi is also expected to take the field alongside former teammate Marika Vunibaka and recent Fijian internationals Peni Rokodiva, Ponipate Kato and Waisale Beci. The Select team, who were voted in by members of the Fijian public, face Aotearoa Maori, Samurai Exile (Waimanu) and hosts Uprising Beach Resort in their Pool.

Aotearoa Maori are coached by former New Zealand representative Matua Parkinson and managed by legendary All Black captain Wayne 'Buck' Shelford.

"The boys are coming together after a few training sessions however they have never played together before and will have to get used to the heat quickly," said Shelford.

"It was a team pulled together in only a few weeks and we've had to really beg, borrow and steal to get the team here. However, there's some talented players here in Rhys Kiwaira, who plays touch for New Zealand, and Jordan Mandermade who is an athletic youngster who represented New Zealand at the World Junior Athletic Championships."

Aotearoa Maori has been drawn from the Sevens playing ranks of Northland, North Harbour, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and the east coast of New Zealand and Shelford said they had plenty to prove. "We've got so many players unavailable through Super 15, New Zealand Under-20 and New Zealand Sevens but we've said to the boys this is an opportunity to play well in front of Gordon Tietjens, who I first played with for New Zealand back in 1983!"

"All Black legend Wayne "Buck' Shelford"

IRB Champions Seek Consistency

Top seeds the Samoan Barbarians are the shadow side of the reigning IRB Sevens champions and play the Pacific Coast Grizzlies, Nadroga and Red Rock.

Coach Stephen Betham knows the tournament will be a challenge. "Sevens here in Fiji is a different ball game and any team you meet is going to give you a contest so we have to be on the ball right from the start," said Betham. "A lot of this weekend is about building patterns for Wellington but it's also important to win. It's nice when the scoreboard is in your favour as it does a lot for the spirit of the boys which carries on to the next tournament."

Betham is without four of his most experienced players but sees the Uprising tournament as a chance for new talent to shine. "We have a few new faces who have maybe one or two caps in the IRB series and hopefully they can do some good work on the field this weekend," he said. "Lolo Lui, Rupeni Levasa, Alafoti Fa'osiliva and Ofisa Treviranus, who are about 90% fit due to niggling injuries from Dubai and George, are at home and it's not worth the risk of further injury. They should be OK for Wellington but the young boys have the opportunity to step up and say they want to be in Wellington."

Samoa lies third behind England and New Zealand after the opening two rounds of the HSBC Sevens World Series table. "Taulagi Afamasaga, who is coming through to replace Uale Mai, has been playing well and Fautua Otto and Afa Aiono are stepping up as well," continued Betham who has also named Mikaele Pesamino and Simaika Mikaele.

Betham revealed Timoteo Iosua and Tom Iosefo, who starred for the winning Auckland team in the New Zealand national sevens, were being considered for selection but would need to abide by the selection policy. "Both Tom and Timoteo are in New Zealand for family reasons and we congratulate them on playing well. We have been keeping an eye on them however we require our players to be home for three weeks to train with the squad and get up to fitness. We'll meet them soon and discuss the issues," he said.

The secret weapon could be 18-year old Avele College student Robert Lilomaiva, who was impressive in the domestic series and brings speed and power.

Fijians Prominent Across Field

The Fijian Warriors, one of two teams selected by national coach Iliesa Tanivula, are in the same pool as the Police, Wardens and New Caledonia and will be one of the favoured teams.

Ponsonby from Auckland are also expected to mount a strong challenge with five players of Fijian heritage alongside New Zealand representative Solomon King. Captain Rocky Khan, fellow Auckland representative Jona Tuitoga, Niko Ratumaitavuki, Sean Morrell and Randall Kamea all know what to expect from their countrymen.

Photo : 'Ponsonby captain Rocky Khan'

"It's good to make the squad and come to the country where my parents are from and hopefully have a good tournament," said Khan whose father is Fijian Indian and mother is from Rotuma. "We're expecting a very hard competition as Fiji produces some of the best Sevens players in the world. We're keen to have a good experience playing against the local teams."

Ponsonby are pooled with Les Bleus, who have made the long journey south from France, Army and Navy. The French side includes four players from Tahiti. The Fijian teams are sprinkled with internationals including former New Zealand international Viliame Waqaseduadua, now playing in Brive, who will turn out for the Police.

Nick Jordan is in Suva thanks to Air Pacific and Tourism Fiji

Pics courtesy of Neil Egerton ENDS