Baber: It’s Tough
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s coach warns that every pool game is always tough as the teams have become more competitive. Also calls are made on fans to be patient as the new players are settling in
Playing in the pool games of any World Sevens Series tournaments is always tough. That was the view of Fiji Airways Fijian 7s coach Gareth Baber since they are pooled with series leaders New Zealand and Samoa in the Sydney 7s. “Any pool that you end up in is going to be tough as the competition level across all teams has risen year on year,” Baber said. “That is how it should be and sport has always been about meeting these challenges head on. We prepare the team to do this and fear none. If we prepare correctly and manage ourselves in that preparation then I expect us to win.”
Looking into their preparations and asked on the need of having a fast winger, the Welshman indicated that they have two of the top finishers in the form of Waisea Nacuqu and Eroni Sau.
“It is not just about pace but also how to use it and your abilities in other areas of the game like tackle, decision making and so on. It takes some players’ time to develop all of these.”
Baber said their first immediate goal is to do better than they did in Dubai and South Africa.
“We have areas of our game which we know can give that to us and we have to get them right. Winning tournaments is our ultimate aim and we will be looking for that.”
The Sydney Sevens is on January 26-28.
CHANGES AFTER RIO
Baber said the Fijians are the only team in the series that made wholesale changes to their squad compared to other teams since the Rio Olympics.
“To be in third place overall in the world at the moment, that is the background of where we have been and I think it is pretty impressive as a nation,” he said.
Top guns England, South Africa and New Zealand have made little changes to their squad since the Olympics.
“I think if any other nation would have done that then we would be looking at eighth or ninth place, I’m very proud of what the boys have achieved.”
CONGRATULATIONS!
Last Friday, Olympian and powerhouse forward Masivesi Dakuwaqa got married to his girlfriend Aerina Rounds in Suva.