DUBAI // Viliame Waqaseduadua, whose star-turn at the World Cup Sevens was one of the few high points of a sorry campaign for New Zealand, is ready to join the player-drain away from his country.
Waqaseduadua took his chance to fire a reminder about his talents as he finished this weekend's tournament in Dubai as his side's leading try-scorer.
The winger is still only 25, yet has already had three Super 14 sides, the Auckland Blues, the Otago Highlanders and the Waikato Chiefs, plus a career-threatening knee injury.
He missed out on the draft for the southern hemisphere's top competition at the start of this term, and turned the short form of the game to revive his career.
After catching the eye in Dubai, his future now may reside away from New Zealand. He said: "I have been getting phone calls from overseas, so I need to sit down and weigh up my options.
"I could be away overseas as early as next week, but I might have to stay and finish my contract in the NPC [where he plays for North Harbour].
"I signed my contract for the sevens this year before the selection was done for the Super 14. I was keen to play sevens so I could travel, and to get my running-game back again.
"I thought it was a good opportunity for me to experience something away from 15s. I am a believer and a Christian, and I believe everything happens for a reason. I always try to be positive about everything that comes my way."
After Victor Vito, the highly-rated loose-forward, limped out of the World Cup after aggravating a calf strain before their pool game against the Arabian Gulf, Waqaseduadua was New Zealand's most potent attacking threat.
Yet, ironically, it was his error which ultimately cost them a quarter-final win against Wales. With space in front of him and the try-line beckoning, the ball inexplicably squirmed from his grasp.
Reprieved, the Welsh went on to claim their second win over New Zealand in the space of a month, on their way to claiming the Melrose Cup.
Waqaseduadua added: "It was very disappointing to drop the ball at such a crucial time. I wanted to contribute to a World Cup team."
pradley@thenational.ae
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The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
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The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
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- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
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Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
ALL THE RESULTS
Bantamweight
Siyovush Gulmomdov (TJK) bt Rey Nacionales (PHI) by decision.
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) bt Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR) by submission.
Catch 74kg
Omar Hussein (JOR) bt Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) by decision.
Strawweight (Female)
Seo Ye-dam (KOR) bt Weronika Zygmunt (POL) by decision.
Featherweight
Kaan Ofli (TUR) bt Walid Laidi (ALG) by TKO.
Lightweight
Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) bt Leandro Martins (BRA) by TKO.
Welterweight
Ahmad Labban (LEB) bt Sofiane Benchohra (ALG) by TKO.
Bantamweight
Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR) no contest.
Lightweight
Mohammed Yahya (UAE) bt Glen Ranillo (PHI) by TKO round 1.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) bt Aidan Aguilera (AUS) by TKO round 1.
Welterweight
Mounir Lazzez (TUN) bt Sasha Palatkinov (HKG) by TKO round 1.
Featherweight title bout
Romando Dy (PHI) v Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) by KO round 1.
