Rugby: Unwanted Naevo joins Fiji

Super 12 rugby coaches' failure to pick Counties Manukau forward Apenisa Naevo in their squad could rebound on Gordon Tietjens' New Zealand sevens squad as test lock Naevo has been picked in the Fiji sevens team for Uruguay and Argentina next month.

Naevo played for the Auckland Blues in 1998 and the Chiefs this year, but failed to regain selection in Ross Cooper's Chiefs squad for 2000 and like several other players -- discarded front-rower John Akurangi left yesterday to play for Leicester in England -- was not wanted by any of the other coaches.

With no rugby to play early next year he has indicated to Counties Manukau officials that he is not keen to return to New Zealand at least until the National Provincial Championship. He is expected to play an integral part in Fiji's Pacific-Rim tournament campaign next year.

He is one of three changes made to the Fijian squad who won the South African leg of the World Sevens Series in Stellenbosch 10 days ago.

Northland's Fijian test winger Fero Lasagavibau also joins the squad from which three players - Rokini Kiliraki, Eliki Tiko and Poate Turuva - have been dropped.

"We needed some big, fast men and I think Naevo falls into that category. I've seen Naevo play sevens and he is good," Fijian coach Peni Veidreyaki said. "Fero will add some speed to the team. The only thing we need to work on with them is fitness."

New Zealand coach Tietjens said the inclusion of the pair only made Fiji stronger, while the return of the brilliant Waisele Serevi would make them an extremely difficult proposition for the January 6-7 (Punte del Este, Uruguay) and 12-13 (Mar del Plata, Argentina) tournaments.

Fiji squad: Waisale Serevi, Samu Saumaisue, Samoni Rokini, Apolosi Satala, Aporosa Dauvucu, Seru Rabeni, Vilimoni Delasau, Sailosi Naiteqe, Josua Vaturoro, Apenisa Naevo, Fero Lasagavibau, Temesia Kaumaia.

- NZPA