NEED TO STAY NO. 1
Our Fiji Airways Flying Fijians are in pole position as far as rankings, going into the Tokyo, Japan, Olympics in July is concerned.
Not because we are the defending Olympic champions, but due to the recent amendments made by World Rugby resulting from the deferment of the Hong Kong and Singapore tournaments to October.
And it is important that we don’t blow away but build on the slender lead at the Los Angeles 7s this weekend and the remaining three tournaments in Vancouver, London and Paris.
The amendments mean the rankings will be determined by the points scored during the last series (2018/19) and this series (2019/20). Right now, we edge current 2019-20 series leader New Zealand by one point, 239 to 238.
We won the 2018-19 series amassing 186 points and we are currently fifth on 53, while New Zealand finished a total of 162 points last season and now in pole position heading into LA with 76.
With the amendment, the race has now intensified, with USA on 224 and South Africa on 215.
Our men, after a disappointing start at the Dubai, Cape Town and Hamilton tournaments found their mojo early this month to win the Sydney Sevens tournament for the first time.
We could beat any team in the world judging by our performance at the Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta.
Baber and the players need not be reminded of how important it is to build momentum and maintain consistency. They got the job done before and they need to do it again.