WE NEED TO DOMINATE OUR POOL SAYS BABER

Fiji Airways Fijian 7s Coach Gareth Baber said all teams will need to be very vigilant and put an extra effort if they are to qualify from the pools at the Hamilton 7s next month.

This after World Rugby released the new format of the tournament in New Zealand where the teams directly head into the semi-final instead of the traditional quarterfinals form the pool stages.

Baber said “It’s a new format and we know that we need to win the pool to get through to the semi-final.

“I’m just slightly disappointed with the format because I thought coming into the Olympic season where all teams will be looking at consistency for World Rugby to introduce this format has not provided that” said Baber.

Fiji is pooled with Argentina, Australia and Samoa in Pool D. Baber added: “We need to dominate our pool and we haven’t done that in the last two tournaments and that’s going to be our goal moving forward.

“We are in a tough pool and we need to deliver better and remain focussed to what we need to achieve after each game.”

Host New Zealand leads Pool A with Scotland, USA and Wales. South Africa takes charge of Pool B alongside Kenya, England and Japan while France tops Pool C with Ireland, Canada and Spain.

With Dubai and Cape Town done and dusted, Baber said the national team now has an idea on what they need to do to better their performance at Hamilton 7s.

He highlighted: “Whilst we won the World Series last year plus five tournaments, we have just gone through two and are not at the standard that we were during the end of last season. “As management we have looked into reasons why that is, we have asked ourselves questions as the players have to do as well.

“It’s not the end of the world, but we need to take quick action and find the momentum as soon as possible.”

Fiji Airways Fijian Drua winger Jiuta Wainiqolo has been included in the extended squad preparing for the Hamilton and Sydney 7s next month.

“Jiuta is an outside back. I have had a good look at him and will see if he gels into our system as soon as possible” said Baber. -Fiji Rugby Union