Winning restarts critical for Tokyo
With the 13-member squad ready to defend the Olympic Games gold medal, Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber by now should have everything sorted out.
He now knows that they are going to face Great Britain, Japan and Canada in their pool games and the path they are going to take once they are out it.
While it will not be a stroll in the park, Baber can be sure to sulk out every ounce of the energy throughout the tournament to ensure he gets the results he had signed-up for in October 2016.
While his records in titlewinning have been better than his predecessor Ben Ryan, the Welshman has played bridesmaid to the gingered haired Brit probably because of Ryan’s ability to connect with the locals.
But all that could change if the former Hong Kong mentor wins gold in Tokyo.
Baber on the other hands has been grinding it from day one to churn out a formidable side that could mirror the heights of 2016.
Ryan masterminded the chaos of playing with the least number of rucks in games and statistics have showed that many times, more tries were scored with only fewer passes being made.
But battles can be won with the ball in hand, what Baber has tried to instil is trying to win the game without the ball, something straight out of Blitzboks coach Neil Powell’s handbook.
And if the 2021 Oceania 7s is anything to go by, behind the scene work by Baber, and his support staff has been excellent.
In six matches in Townsville, the Jerry Tuwai captained- side met 2020 series winners New Zealand (twice) and Australia twice as well.
Australia finished the interrupted 2020 series ranked 4th behind Fiji.
In those six matches, Fiji won 17 turnovers which resulted in eight tries. This is a testament to the off-the-ball work done by the team.
In the last match against foes New Zealand, Fiji made four turnovers.
Losing nine restarts
However, Baber will be scratching his head when trying to work on a plan to retain possession from the kick-off which is a critical set piece in the abbreviated code.
Fiji lost nine restarts, this is nine too many. That is 1.5 restart a match.
Maybe they’re rusty given the long layoff by the team but Fiji have good kickers in Napolioni Bolaca, Waisea Nacuqu, Livai Ikanikoda and Kitione Taliga.
They are experienced in ensuring there’s enough hanging time to allow for their jumpers time to contest the ball.
Since 7s became the heartbeat of the nation, restart has been the strength of the side and Fiji had produced retsart specialists like Semisi Naevo, Viliame Satala, Apolosi Satala, Jope Tuikabe, Pio Tuwai, Jasa Veremalua, Viliame Mata, Semi Kunatani, Apisai Domolailai to ensure that we dictate the game.
Now we still have Kalione Nasoko, Meli Derenalagi and Josua Vakurinabili who are leading the charge.
Also among them are promising Iosefo Masi, Joseva Talacolo and Rusiate Nasove.
They have all the tricks in the bag; it’s just getting the momentum to deal aces when it matters most.
Surely, they are going to work hard on it for the next three weeks.
But until the 7s rugby kicks off in Japan, we want a performance from our gladiators that we can be proud of.