Basiyalo surprised by 7s call-up, still coming to terms with selection

New Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s squad member and Swire Shipping Fijian Drua development player Isikeli Basiyalo was surprised about his call-up to join the Fiji 7s training squad that was preparing for the HSBC Hong Kong 7s this weekend, and he is still trying to come to terms with him being selected to be a part of the final 13 member travelling squad.

The 21-year-old says when he was informed by Fijian Drua coach Glen Jackson that he would be joining the Fiji 7s extended squad alongside Drua development player Aisea Nawai, he did not believe it at first, but he was happy and keen.

Basiyalo says he is happy to be part of the sevens team and it is going well.

He says playing sevens is a whole different challenge because the speed of the game is much higher than what he is used to.

He adds for a long time, he wanted to try playing sevens, and he is glad that he can join the Fiji 7s and learn a lot of things.

The Volivoli, Nadroga man says his goal is to learn everything he can so he can take it back to the Drua and improve his game.

Basiyalo will make his international 7s debut in Hong Kong this weekend.

Fiji will take on the USA at 4,48pm Friday in their first pool match, they will then take on Ireland at 7.58pm Friday before taking on Argentina at 4.11pm Saturday in their last pool match.

The cup quarter finals will kick off at 9.51pm Saturday, the cup semi finals will start at 7pm Sunday and the cup final will kick off at 11.46pm Sunday.

The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s will take on Ireland at 4.25pm Friday in their first pool match, they will then take on France at 7.35pm Friday before playing Great Britain at 3.25pm Saturday in their last pool match.

The women’s cup quarter finals will kick off at 9.01pm Saturday, the semi finals will start at 6.14pm Sunday and the cup final will kick off at 11.10pm Sunday.

Meanwhile, Argentina currently leads the Men’s points table with 68 points followed by Spain with 64 points and Fiji is in 3rd place with 62 points.

In the Women’s points table, New Zealand are currently leading with 76 points followed by Australia in second place with 70 points, while France is third with 52 points.