Impact in Dubai
Fijiana 7s head coach Saiasi Fuli is wary that Asian teams are on the roll following the Asia Rugby Sevens Series last weekend at the same vicinity. The determined Japanese outfit is in the same pool as the Fijianas this weekend for the HSBC series at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai.
“This is a tough pool and our role is to prepare the girls to be in their right frame of mind and have that positive mindset to start well and end the tournament on a high,” Fuli said from Dubai yesterday. “We have to begin by doing that in our pools. “We have Japan, Spain and Ireland and this is what 7s series is all about. The adaptation of every tournament, that is to expect the unexpected. Treat every game as the final.”
Fuli is keeping an eye out on the Fijian influence that is lifting the standard of women sevens rugby in the Asia countries. On Sunday (Monday Fiji time) making a big turnaround after their dismal World Cup performance in Cape Town, South Africa, the Chinese women finally hoisted the Asia 7s women top trophy. Coached by Fijian sevens legend Osea Kolinisau, China beat longtime favourite and defending champion Japan 21-14 in the final in Dubai.
The other surprise in the Asian meet, Thailand (women) coached by former New Zealand 15s and sevens rep and of Fijian origin Lote Raikabula is now ranked third in Asia.
Leading up to this year’s three
Asian 7s championship series featuring eight countries Kolinisau regarding the style of play for the Chinese women said he didn’t want to impose the freestyle Fijian style of play.
The ARSS 2022 was hosted by Thailand on October 22-23, held in Korea on November 12-13 and then at Al Ain, Dubai on November 2627.
“The team’s assets are their strength, speed, and fitness which they use to maximise their chances of doing well,” coach Kolisau said. “They work on their defence, restarts, and the breakdown area which are crucial in rugby sevens.”
China is in Pool A with points table leader Australia, United States of America and Canada. Fiji is top in Pool C with Ireland, Spain and Japan. Pool B feature France, New Zealand, Great Britain and Brazil.
Japanese women sevens captain Kana Nagata said it was frustrating not to win the Asian championship.
“Every one of us worked hard and worked together to fight against a lot of new members. Towards the World HSBC Series I will definitely pass this experience on to the next step so that we can step up even further,” Nagata said.
The Fijiana take on Japan at 6:22pm on Friday, Spain at 9:43pm and final pool match against Ireland at 1:13am on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Fijian men’s team faces Uruguay at 8:12pm Friday, then New Zealand at 11:11pm and finally Argentina 5:05am Saturday.