Serevi’s Russia In For Marist 7s
The Waisale Serevi coached Russian national 7s team will take part for the first time in the 2019 Fiji Bitter Marist 7s tournament in Suva.
This was confirmed by the sevens legend Serevi at the 2019 McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka yesterday.
Serevi has taken up contract with Russia Rugby as head coach until the 2020 Olympic Games in Toky, Japan.
The Qarani, Gau native is in the country to have talks with Fiji Rugby Union especially with Fiji Airways Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber. He also watched his daughter Asinate in action for Scion Woo team yesterday.
“I met Baber to discuss about the Russian team that will be competing at the Marist 7s in the lead up to the Hong Kong 7s. We need a good preparation ,” Se re vis aid.
“I am here to talk to them to assist my boys with matches and other matters regarding the visit and matches between the two teams.
“It is good for my boys to play against home teams. No doubt it will bring out the best in them. “I’m also here to support Junior and Nate who are playing where my career started. I did miss Junior’s game but saw Nate.
“The deal with them was to have vacation in Fiji as Junior resumes his school on Monday.”
NEW PLAYERS IMPRESS
Serevi is impressed with the team assembled by Baber for the Hamilton and Sydney 7’s. “The team is doing wonders and looking good especially when new players are stepping up after some have left the team,” he said.
“I salute Baber since he wanted to keep the players but they opted to leave. The new players like Vilimoni Botitu and Meli Derenalagi are playing well and we must applaud him for training them.”
He said after the loss in Dubai and then to beat USA in the final in Cape Town was an icing on the cake.
“I think it’s a good tournament going into the ninth year with overseas teams are being part of the tournament. The tournament is getting better.”
Meanwhile, Serevi and his family depart for Seattle tomorrow.