Rookie Stewart relishes 7s call up

By Sunil Sharma

Lanky Naitasiri speedster John Stewart was head over heels today after he was picked in the Fiji 7s team to the second leg of the 2012/2013 HSBC/IRB World Sevens Series which will be held in Dubai and Port Elizabeth.

The 24-year-old Naikorokoro native from Kadavu who was drafted into the national squad for the new series did not lose hope after he failed to make the team to Gold Coast 7s last month and instead worked hard to impress coach Alifereti Dere and his coaching panel.

"This actually is my biggest break and I am raring to go out on the field and represent my country," he said with a smile.

"I just want to thank the coach and the rest of the team officials for having the faith in me. This was the chance I was waiting for."

"Playing for Naitasiri at provincial level was a stepping stone for me this year and I thank the coach for identifying my potential in 7s and giving me the chance to prove my worth."

Stewart who is the cousin of former 7s forward and British Army soldier Apolosi Satala says he seeks a lot of inspiration from the 2005 World Cup winner.

"Abo has always been an inspiration for me and I have grown up playing rugby alongside my cousin, representing Batiri club from Namoli Village in Lautoka," he quipped.

The Dubai 7s will be played on November 30 and December 1 in the United Arab Emirates and the Digicel Fiji 7s team will fly out of our shores next Wednesday.

FijiLive

Dubai tournament will be played on November 1- 2 December followed by the South Africa 8-9 December.