Police Blue focuses on preparation

Heading into the 2023 McDonalds Coral Coast tournament defending champion Police Blue is more focused on preparing than winning.

Top seeds Police Blue has 2022 Nawaka 7s champion Wardens, McDonalds and Yamacia in pool MA.

Speaking to SUNSports yesterday coach Sale Tubuna said victory would come if one worked hard. “Everything starts with us and how we prepare for big tournaments like the Coral Coast, we are not looking out on any team but more focussed on our preparations,” Tubuna said.

“This week it has been on fitness test. I’m trying to see where we were after the Uluinakau 7s and where we are now - fitness is my guide till next Tuesday.

“Tuesday is my deadline and players as well, at the moment the players that went to Dubai are back with the inclusion of Terio Tamani, they are not new to the system and culture of this sevens team.

“We are trying to get them to train together, last time it took us three days to prepare and win the Coral Coast so there’s no pressure at all on me in preparing this team. “I’m happy that the boys are back and they all know to play for each other.”

He added that there will only be one Police team playing in the tournament.

“I’ve already selected 20 players with the senior players now back and core from the Police White team that I’ve pushed up to the

Blue team,” he said.

“We have one team that will be playing in next week’s tournament.

“It sounds like a big tournament but I have reminded the boys it is just another tournament, we’ve been through the Coral Coast so many times.

“We respect all the teams and we will take each game as they come, we are looking at ourselves first so that we are up to standard.”

Their next stop is the Welagi 7s tournament.