Players adapting well
THE Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s cocaptain Tokasa Seniyasi and her team are adapting well to the Australian weather.
Seniyasi believes they are fortunate to play the women’s powerhouse the New Zealand and Australian 7s teams at the 2021 PacificAus Sports Oceania Sevens as they prepare for the Tokyo Olympic Games in Japan next month.
She will be assisting the experienced Rusila Nagasau, as coach Saiasi Fuli has named both as co-captains to lead the national team in the Oceania 7s.
She said the players had adjusted well to the weather in Brisbane and had been responding well during training while being in quarantine.
“Our training has been very tough, despite the cold weather the girls have given full commitment and dedication towards the training,” Seniyasi said.
“The new players who have not been to any World Rugby Sevens Series before have really blended with other experienced players.
“There are few new players making their debut in the Oceania 7s and the bond plus the team spirit is very positive as we all are on the same page.”
She added that it is a blessing in disguise as they get to face the top two 7s teams in the world before going into Olympic Games next month.
“Australia and New Zealand have always dominated the World Sevens Series and to play them before the Olympic Games is a real advantage for us.
“We have had classroom and blackboard sessions every day and we have also watched how these two teams play and what approach they would take against us.
“We have practised differed methods and have various plans which we will use when we face them next week in Townsville.”
Fijiana 7s takes on Australia in their opening Oceania 7s match at 5.06pm on Friday, before playing New Zealand at 10.14pm.
The women’s Round 2 of the Oceania 7s kicks off at 4.44pm on the 26th while the final day of round robin matches begins at 3.14pm the following day.