Our heroes from Canada on track for bigger scalps
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team's magnificent 31-12 victory over Kenya in the final of the Canada Sevens at BC Place Stadium Centre in Vancouver showed that our heroes could be peaking at the right time before the Hong Kong Sevens, the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup.
Kenya are no easy beat. They disposed of favourites, the United States, in the semi-finals in a riveting game. Fiji, on the other hand, also fought a close semi-final against arch rival South Africa. They were favoured to win the final and they did it in impressive style. As a result they have leapfrogged New Zealand to the second spot on the points table with 101, only eight points away from leaders, South Africa
Head coach Gareth
Baber's young team repaid the faith he has in them by winning the tournament. After their dramatic victory in Hamilton, a lot was riding on them when they headed to Las Vegas. But they felt short and won the Plate final
In Vancouver, they rectified their mistakes. When they put their act together, minimising errors and playing with more urgency, they looked unbeatable.
Baber should now be more settled in working out his likely squad for Hong Kong, the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup. For the sake of consistency and stability, he has a current squad that he can count on to continue winning from here onwards. The players have shown they have what it takes to continue winning on the big stage.
Yesterday's performance is indicative of a team maturing with confidence.
The only worrying part of yesterday's events was the confirmation by Baber that skipper Seremaia Tuwai is carrying a shoulder injury that may need surgery.
He is central to Baber's plan to put Fiji back on top of World Sevens.
There's no doubt that Baber is already planning a contingency measure to address the issue if and when Tuwai is unable to play.
Waisea Nacuqu and Eminoni Nasilasila have the capacity to step in and fill the position. Both are players who possess speed and are blessed with an uncanny ability to beat the opposition at close quarter encounters.
Kalione Nasoko, Best Player award winner Sevuloni Mocenacagi and Josua Vukurunabili earned their stripes. It would be a surprise if they are not retained for Hong Kong, the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup.
We take this opportunity to congratulate our Canada Sevens heroes and we have a message for them: You can do it again in Hong Kong, Gold Coast and San Francisco.
We take this opportunity to congratulate our Canada Sevens heroes and we have a message for them: You can do it again in Hong Kong, Gold Coast and San Francisco.