Samurai Rugby, one of the leading rugby sevens clubs in the world, is delighted to announce that Fijian 7s legend Nasoni Rokobiau will be their Head Coach for the famous GFi Hong Kong 10s competition.

Nasoni, or Roko, is a legend on the Fijian international sevens scene, having played in 165 World Series games. He is Fiji’s fourth highest all-time world series points scorer. Renowned for his speed out wide as well as his big left boot, he was dubbed the evergreen man from Serea by the Fijian press because of his longevity and his apparently limitless endurance. An ex-Samurai player himself, Roko first played for Samurai Rugby in 2000 at the London 7s, losing narrowly to the British Army in the final.

Samurai’s Director of Rugby, Terry Sands, said “We are delighted that Roko accepted our invitation to be Head Coach for Samurai Rugby's GFi Hong Kong 10s campaign. On top of his playing accomplishments, he is one of the nicest guys you could hope to meet. His fierce competitiveness and deep tactical understanding balanced by his quiet humility makes him the epitome of the Samurai Rugby spirit and a natural leader both on and off-field. He is revered in Fijian rugby and so it is even more special that he will be coaching an all-Fijian Samurai team in Hong Kong. We’re excited to see what Roko can do with the very talented squad we’ve put together for the tournament.”

Drawing on players from its long-established domestic Fijian team as well as other Fijian clubs, Samurai Rugby hopes to achieve wins over main rivals Penguins and Tradition YCAC, as well as defending champions UBB Gavekal. The increasing professionalism of the teams, with more pro and semi-pro players taking part than ever before, has consolidated the tournament’s status as an elite international competition. The Samurai team, which is an exciting blend of experience and rising stars, will be looking to impress Fiji 7s Head Coach Gareth Barber as they press their cases for opportunities with the national side.

About Samurai Rugby: Samurai Rugby Football Club was founded in 1996, being inspired by the playing spirit and tenacity of the Japanese national rugby team in the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Samurai Rugby has gone on to become one of the best 7s clubs in the world. It operates on a purely invitational basis, usually creating a new squad of coaches and players for each tournament, with a win/loss ratio which is the envy of the sport. Squads are usually a mix of professional and amateur players and coaches, but more especially a mix of nationalities with typically at least five or six countries being represented. Players do not get paid for playing and being selected to play for Samurai Rugby is seen as an honour, even for professionals.

CONTACT | Keith Dewar | Communications Director, Samurai Rugby | +44-7780-667777