Let’s not repeat the same mistakes
7s rugby commences after a year’s lapse
THIS weekend, after a lapse of one year, our boys will come head to head with giants NZ and Australia.
Both Australia and NZ have named powerful squads with players who have experience, having played on the international 7s scene.
At the conclusion of the 20192020 HSBC WRSS, NZ finished first, South Africa finished second and Fiji finished third. NZ 7s coach coach Clark Laidlaw has developed a winning squad, and he has laid the challenge, as he has assembled a power-packed and experienced outfit boasting speed and skills.
The likes of Kurt Baker, Dylan Collier, Scott Curry, Sam Dickson, Vilimoni Koroi, Tim Mikkelson, Sione Molia, Tone Ng Shiu, Regan Ware, Etene Nanai-Seturo and Joe Webber have tons of 7s experience, and they have tasted success with the All Blacks 7s team.
They will be assisted by the likes of Trael Joass, Andrew Knewstubb, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Caleb Clarke, Amanaki Nicole, Kitiona Vai, William Warbrick and Akuila Rokolisoa.
Australia 7s coach Tim Walsh has included Fijian Samu Kerevi in his squad with the likes of Pama Fou, Lewis Holland, Nick Malouf, Lachlan Anderson, Joe Pincus, Dylan Pietsch, Josh Coward, Josh Turner, Henry Hutchison, Dietrich Roache, Lachlan Miller and Tim Anstee.
Fiji will play the All Blacks and Australia twice, and this will give the boys the much-needed boost and exposure before the Olympics. On the other hand, it is important to remain humble, for too many times our overconfidence has led the Fiji 7s team to lose titles that they had in the bag.
We were confident of winning the inaugural 1999-2000 IRB WRSS title, but we fell apart in Paris, having lost to Argentina, and the All Blacks won it in the last leg.
We were confident of winning the 2006-07 WRSS title, but we lost the title.
NZ won the 2006-07 series by winning the final tournament in Edinburgh.
In that event, the then-defending series champions Fiji would have clinched the season crown by defeating Wales in the Cup quarter-finals.
However, a Wales upset win opened the door for the All Blacks to take the season crown by winning the Cup in Edinburgh, which they did. During the 2017-18 WRSS, Fiji lost to England in the cup quarter-final, and we gifted the series title to South Africa.
We entered the RWC 7s with confidence, but lost to the ABs in the semi-final 22-17. We entered the Commonwealth Games with confidence, but then lost the final to the All Blacks 14-0.
Let’s not repeat the mistakes of our past heart-aches, but let’s remain humble and carry the underdog tag. Let’s nail our opponents on the field. All the taking must be done on the field. Get the basics right, and the wins will follow.
We need to work on our set-pieces, line-outs, re-starts and tackles, as these will play a crucial role in overpowering Australia and NZ.
Thank you The Fiji Times for the excellent build-up. Yesterday’s story titled ‘Positive energy’ focused on the new kids- Iosefo Masi, Josefa Talacolo, Taniela Sadrugu, Rusiate Nasove, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Sireli Maqala and Kaminieli Rasaku, who are providing positive energy and helping lift the standard at training.
The pages on the Oceania 7s are adding to the weekend’s excitement, and I can’t wait for the Oceania 7s to kick-off on Friday.
Baber has yet to name his 13-member squad, but he has a wealth of talents on his plate.
Our forwards and playmakers will play vital roles in defeating NZ and Australia.
Toso Viti toso!