Analysis: 7s - Attacking our weak areas
The Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team have landed safely in San Francisco and are now going through their final phase of preparation before they step into the AT&T Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
As usual hopes are high among the Fijian supporters that the Seremaia Tuwai-captained side will be hoisting the Melrose Cup come Monday midday.
But in fact, it’s not as easy as it seems. The new format adopted for this tournament has made things more difficult. In actual fact we are really treading into the unknown. Whether it’s going to intensify the competition or not- is anybody’s guess.
But one thing is for sure that one wrong move means you’ve to wait for another 4 years. It may sound cruel but that’s the reality of this tournament. To be on the safer side Fiji Airways Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber said, it’s all about taking it game by game.
Seeded at No.2, the Fijians are definitely going to be the targeted team. Every team will have their ways of trying to exploit us and deny our chances of making it a record third World Cup win. Let’s take a look at 4 ways on how they are going to do it;
- DENY US POSSESSION:
Without the ball we’ll look ordinary and beatable. Our big forwards of Leone Nakarawa, Semi Kunatani, Jasa Veremalua, Paula Dranisinukula and Kalione Nasoko should be tasked to go out there and get enough balls for our backs to do the damage. Also, must take heed of the Cup quarterfinal lesson in Paris, where Tuwai kicked away possession and allowed England to hit back and win, denying us the World Sevens Series title.
- CATCH UP RUGBY:
Again this is about the opposition applying the early pressure, utilising their scoring chances to stay ahead on the scoring sheet. We faced similar situations during the World Sevens Series but somehow we managed to pull through. This has got to change and we need to take charge of the scores, right from the opening whistle.
- TACKLE, TACKLE:
Taking a look back at Baber’s halftime messages during the series, mostly zeroes in about reading the opposition’s defensive lineup, sizing it up before going in with the big hits. It’s all about making every tackle count.
YELLOW CARD:
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New Zealand provoked utility Sevuloni Mocenacagi during the Commonwealth Games final and he was sent to the bin for a dangerous tackle on Sam Dickson. Trailing 14-0 on the scoreboard and then a man down took the fight out of our players as they settled for the silver medal.
Definitely, Mocenacagi along with Vatemo Ravouvou are going to be the targeted players.
-WATCH THE OFF-LOADS:
Our offloads have become predictable! Remember the game against England in Paris, how one of the English players went in for the tackle while the other closes in to make an intercept, or if not try to disrupt it. Our players should be reminded to pick their moment of making offloads as to keep the opposition guessing.
So, for Tuwai & Co, it’s all about absorbing whatever is thrown at you. Play it smart and hit back where it hurts the most- by bringing the Melrose Cup home, where it rightfully belongs.