Let's get behind our 7s teams for Sydney
We wish our Fiji Airways Fijian 7s and Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s teams all the best in this weekend’s Sydney Sevens in Australia. For the Seremaia Tuwai- captained side, the challenge for them comes right from their pool games where they face current World Sevens Series leaders New Zealand, the much-improved Samoans under coach Sir Gordon Tietjens and, the unpredictable Russians.
Coach Gareth Baber has selected the players he knows who are capable of delivering the goods.
Statistically, we are rated as one of the most inexperienced teams in the tournament and, that should be the challenge for the players to rise to the occasion.
Now without key playmaker Vatemo
Ravouvou, the onus is now on veteran Namatakula mastermind Amenoni
Nasilasila to show what he is capable of.
Nasilasila finished off from the Cape Town
7s on a high note when he topped the DHL Performance Tracker and is likely to continue from there. He’s expected to form a lethal combination with Tuwai at halfback while Waisea Nacuqu and Eroni Sau are expected to do the damage out wide.
But also keep a lookout for newcomer and speedster Alosio Naduva, who is a utility back and at times can be a hooker as well.
The soldier, along with Fiji Airways Drua duo of winger Avete Daveta and blockbusting flanker Vasikali Mudu could be our hidden weapon when it comes to the crunch time in Sydney.
For the past weeks the squad has been working hard on their fitness, speed and defence and, of course, discipline.
These are the much-needed ingredients they need to possess if they are to win in Sydney.
Baber has put together an exciting young team that needs our support in terms of prayers and cheers when they run into the Allianz Stadium.
On the same note, let’s not forget our Fijiana 7s team, who after a poor outing in Dubai are out to redeem themselves.
Coach Iliesa Tanivula has highlighted some of the problems they have been facing but the players have made big sacrifices during the festive season to continue on with their daily training sessions.
They are in Pool C where they take on Russia, Canada and Ireland.
For the Ana Maria Roqica-led side there is no turning back, as they still have what it takes to conquer the giants and win their first ever series tournament.
So let’s put everything aside and support our national 7s teams to do the impossible in Sydney this weekend.
Statistically, we are rated as one of the most inexperienced teams in the tournament and, that should be the challenge for the players to rise to the occasion.