Greater in size, power, and speed. In his second year with the Bristol Bears, Pat Lam is backing Fijian international Kalaveti Ravouvou to have a breakout season.
The director of rugby at Bristol thinks Ravouvou is prepared to step up and fill the vacuum in the centers following the departure of Piers O’Connor and French sensation Virimi Vakatawa this summer.
The Fijian international, who plays as part of a well-balanced midfield partnership with last season’s star player Benhard Janse van Rensburg, managed to conjure moments of magic on both sides of the ball during Friday night’s 40-19 preseason victory over the Dragons at Clifton RFC despite challenging wet conditions.
After joining the Bears in 2023 from the Fijian Drua, Ravouvou only contributed a little amount to the previous season’s effort due to his difficulties picking up Bristol’s style of play and the language barrier. However, Lam stated after the game that the 26-year-old is prepared to excel. “I think we have three really good combinations there,” he remarked, “but I am very happy for Kalaveti.”
“We realized he wasn’t quite right, but we didn’t realize how bad his shoulder was going through last season.” He underwent surgery during the off-season, and the results are truly remarkable. He has gained six kg, increased in strength and speed, and is aware of the strategy.
It has been a big help for him to have pre-season this year because he missed it last year.
“Now that he’s fully integrated into our team and comprehends our strategy, he is going to have a huge season because this is such an important position.”
“Well, Kalaveti, Jimmy Williams, and BV look good.”
Max Malins, Harry Randall, Joe Batley, Siva Naulago, and Kieran Marmion (2) all scored tries in the exhibition, but Lam offered this assessment of the performance as a whole: “There was some good stuff in there but we talked in the huddle post-match about penalties.” We conceded penalties, consecutive penalties. They never really worked their way into our 22, even though they made it all the way down there. We are really hard to beat if we remove that from our game.”
