Fijian Drua Rising Star Sikeli Basiyalo Stunned by Call-Up to Fiji Sevens Squad Ahead of Hong Kong Sevens

Fijian Drua rising star Sikeli Basiyalo received a surprise call-up to join the Fiji Sevens squad ahead of the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens, leaving the 21-year-old forward in disbelief. The news came directly from Fijian Sevens legend Osea Kolinisau, who personally informed Basiyalo that he had been selected to represent Fiji at one of the most iconic events in rugby. Initially, Basiyalo could hardly believe the news, but after processing the reality, he expressed excitement and gratitude for the opportunity.

Basiyalo, who has been training with the Fijian Drua, joined the Fiji Sevens team earlier this week as they prepared for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series (SVNS) event, which takes place from March 28-30. He is one of two new additions to the squad, with Aisea Nawai also receiving his first call-up for the tournament.

The Hong Kong Sevens is one of the most renowned events on the rugby calendar, offering a unique and exhilarating atmosphere. With a rich history and legacy dating back to 1977, it is often considered the pinnacle of the Sevens series. Fiji, having won the tournament 19 times, is hoping to add another victory to their storied history, with the last win coming in 2019. The tournament is set to take place at the new Kai Tak Sports Park, marking a significant shift in the location of the event.

For Basiyalo, the chance to play at the Hong Kong Sevens is a dream come true. “I didn’t believe it at first, but I was actually happy and keen,” Basiyalo said in a statement. “For a long time, I wanted to try and play sevens as well. I’m glad that I am able to come here and learn a lot of things.”

He also emphasized his goal of learning as much as possible during the tournament, so he could take that knowledge back to the Fijian Drua and continue to develop his game. The speed and intensity of Sevens rugby are a far cry from the 15-a-side game, presenting Basiyalo with a new challenge to overcome.

Fiji’s Sevens team faces stiff competition, with New Zealand dominating the event in recent years. Despite this, Fiji’s Sevens squad remains a formidable force, having finished runners-up in two of the last three Men’s Cup Finals. As the race for the overall series title intensifies, Fiji will look to build on their strong sevens legacy and aim for a strong finish in Hong Kong.

With a crucial few events ahead in the Sevens Series, including the Singapore Sevens next week, Fiji’s focus will be on securing points to challenge the current leaders, Argentina, who sit at the top of the overall standings. The upcoming tournaments are setting the stage for an exciting finish to the season, with Basiyalo’s experience at the Hong Kong Sevens playing a pivotal role in his growth as a player.