Senior reps lead way: Tuwai
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s captain Seremaia ‘Jerry’ Tuwai revealed senior players in the team have played an instrumental role to keep the players together after being away from their loved ones for more than three months.
The Fijian 7s side moved into camp before the second wave of COVID-19 hit Fiji and since then have been together in camp, preparing for the PacificAus Oceania 7s and the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Tuwai said: “Everything is going well and the boys are looking forward to the tournament.”
Tuwai added one of the big thing is staying away from families and he thanked the senior players who have stepped up and took the leading responsibility to guide the younger players.
“We have meetings on daily basis and doing activities that can keep us together as a team and for all of us to look forward to the task ahead.
“We all are aware of the challenge and the sacrifices we have to make for our families and the nation as whole” said Tuwai.
“It been long and everyone one of us are looking forward to playing Australia and New Zealand, whom we last faces in the World Rugby Sevens Series a year ago.
“I think all the boys have been training really well for past few months and we are excited and it will be a good ground for us to try and put together a team that will contest and play in Tokyo” said Tuwai.
Fijian 7s Head Coach Gareth Baber has named 7 new players who have not been to any series and will be playing against New Zealand and Australia for the first time.
Tuwai said the players deserved to be in the team.
“These young players are really good when it comes to on and off field behavior or training. They have been working really hard and I know they will surely shine during the three-day competition next week in Townsville” said Tuwai.
The Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team faces Australia in their opening match at 4pm on Friday.