Local Adelaide players recruited for International Rugby Sevens Adelaide
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Four local Adelaide Rugby players have had the chance to rub shoulders with the world’s best this weekend after being called up to play at the International Rugby Sevens Adelaide.
The Adelaide players, who all represent the State side, gained a berth in the competition after players in four international teams, Argentina, Cook Islands, England and Portugal sustained injuries.
In 2008 only one reserve pool player was called upon at the International Rugby Sevens Adelaide and in 2007 no reserve players were required.
As Host Union the Australian Rugby Union is required to provide 10 high standard players to form a reserve pool. The reserve pool players fill in for any team if a team has injury concerns and is unable to field 12 players for any match.
The Players Pool consists of two groups of five different playing positions (Group A and Group B) contains two forwards and two backs.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for South Australia’s top level players to gain first-hand international experience.” Rugby Manager for SA Rugby Carl Jones said. “The opportunities they have had during the International Rugby Sevens Adelaide, playing for such sides as England and Portugal, demonstrates how direct the pathway to international Rugby can be for any talented player.”
Yesterday two Adelaide players, both named Mika, were called upon for England and the Cook Islands teams.
“When I was called up [for England] I was more surprised but once it sunk in I was pretty ecstatic,” Mika Taufaao, 27, of the Burnside Rugby Club said. “It was an awesome experience. I knew I was backing up and didn’t actually think I would be getting on the field,” he added.
Taufaao was invited by the England side to stay at the team’s hotel last night to watch video analysis and spend some time with the team to prepare for their Cup quarter final clash against Fiji today.
Cook Islands recruited Mika Leawere, 32, for their bout against Japan which they lost 20-12. However, Leaweve proved his value by scoring a try for the side.
“I was pretty happy about getting that try. I was on the sideline on the sin bin – I was yellow carded and I said to myself that I am going to go back in and do my best,” he said.
Leaweve, who has previously represented the Fiji Sevens side and plays club Rugby for Southern Suburbs, was the sole reserve pool player to be called up for 2008 Adelaide Sevens tournament; he was selected by the USA but didn’t get to play.
Today Argentina has picked up Tevita Raikwasa, 29, who plays for local club Port Adelaide and Portugal has recruited Matt Connor, 33, of the Woodville club.
