NZ on track for 2020 Olympics: DJ
Watch the New Zealand 7s go, says their former captain.
Speaking to SUNsports last night, veteran forward DJ Forbes is confident that they are now grooming a good team for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
“There is another good mix of players, it has been a transition year for us,” he said after arriving at Nadi International Airport with his family.
“If you see in the last two tournaments there were a lot of guys who are experienced on the bench. I played with a couple of them at that level and I think after two years the All Blacks sevens team will be in a good place.”
SPECIAL GUEST
Forbes is the chief guest at this weekend’s Mana Whey Fiji Coral Coast 7s tournament.
He captained the New Zealand 7s team since 2006. Forbes has played in over 60 tournaments, won six World Sevens Sevens Series titles and two Commonwealth Games gold medals but missed out on an Olympic gold medal, which was won by Fiji in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, last year. “We try to come to Fiji as much as we can, since we were married here 10 years ago. “This is the first time I brought my boots over just in case I get involved.” Forbes said he knows that he has been the most hated player everytime Fiji play New Zealand in any tournament around the world.
“I’m most hated and most loved by the people of Fiji. But people here always treat me and my family with a lot of respect, in the hotel we stay in or even running in the streets. People would stop me wanting to take a photo.
“But that’s the beauty of sevens rugby between Fiji and New Zealand with that bit of rivalry.”
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong women and youth sevens teams arrived early yesterday.
The Steven Dowse coached- Hong Kong youths are here to learn as this is the first time they’re playing out of Asia.
The side are in Pool E where they face Northern Sprit, Nailaga (Ba), and Ra Barbarians.
“It will be a tough competition but that’s the reason we came here and that is to challenge ourselves,” Douwe said.