National debut set for youngsters

Rugby 7s squad leaves for Fiji

By Taromane Martin

Steward Iro

FOR 18 year olds Elvis Made and Steward Iro, the opportunity to play for the Solomon Islands national rugby 7s team is a chance to get new experience while competing against some of the pacific’s best.

Made and Iro are part of a 15-man squad that left the country yesterday to compete at the Soltuna and Marist Rugby 7s competitions in Suva, Fiji.

The Soltuna 7s will kick off this Saturday. The competition is hosted by the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) with the purpose of building relationships with Solomon descendants in Fiji.

After the Soltuna 7s the national team will then compete in the Marist 7s competition which is set for March 23rd.

Both players said they were proud and honoured to be given the opportunity to represent the country at both competitions.

“I’m proud being selected from the High School League to represent the country,” Iro who plays for the Selwyn College Stormers said.

“This is my first competition overseas and I feel proud to be playing with the other boys. This is going to be a good experience for me.

Elvis Made

“I look forward to reaching the finals and also playing amongst the best and giving a good challenge over there with the boys for the country,” he said.

For Malaita Rugby Union Association (MRUF) rugby club giants, Ambu player, Elvis made the call up as a surprise.

“I was really surprised when I got the news I was selected for the national team. I was not expecting it.

“This will be a new experience for me. I’m excited and really looking forward to gaining new experiences,” Made said.

The national 7s team left the country yesterday but are without team captain Roman Tongaka who had issues with his passport.

Tongaka is expected to join the squad in Suva this Friday.

Members of the national 7s rugby squad with representatives of Soltuna at the Honiara International Airport…Photo Taromane Martin.

Discover more from Theislandsun

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading