Losing start for Fiji in Oceania 7s tournament
FIJI had a losing start in the Oceania Sevens in New Zealand yesterday with the men's side going down to the Australia Selection team while the Fijiana 7s lost to the Black Ferns Ma.
The men's team lost 19-29 while the women went down 12-26.
The Fiji 7s team, with the return of Jerry Tuwai, Semi Kunatani and Savenaca Rawaca, started well with their first try to Jeremaia Matana for 5-0.
But Josh Turner beat Fijian speedster Waisea
Nacuqu 10 metres to the line to start what led to the first upset of yesterday.
Nacuqu revenged the try when he pounced on a loose ball a minute later to push Fiji 12-7 over the Aussies before his side ran in another try to lead 19-7 at halftime. The Aussies pounced on the Fijians when the match resumed with Henry Paterson beating Jerry Tuwai for the first to three tries in the second half. James Turner added another before his side put in the final try of the encounter to win 29-19.
The Fijiana 7s team also started well with a try to Viniana Riwai in the second minute for 7-0.
THE Vodafone Flying Fijians squad members have taken a break this weekend after a rigorous five day training session in preparation for the Pacific Nations Cup.
Flying Fijians head coach Vern Cotter said the preparations for the PNC had started well.
Cotter said the players worked hard on the field.
"I can feel the group coming together through that work and through some basic principles of play," he said.
"It took two to three days to blow out the cobwebs. We were lucky with the rain at the Sand Dunes in Sigatoka.
"We did not have a hot day there so the players were able to work and recover.
"The last two days have been a bit warmer so recovery has been important."
Cotter said nutrition plays an important role to make sure that the players could repeat their training efforts
But the Black Ferns Ma hit back with three successive tries to lead 19-7 at the break.
Sesenieli Donu hit back when the match resumed for 19-12, but Shiray Kaka sidestepped her way past three Fijiana defenders inside her 10-metre zone before screaming down the whole field for their winning try.
Fiji replied with a try a minute to end to Verenaisi Ditavutu, but to no avail as the Kiwis won 26-12.
In the second match, the Fiji Men’s ran in fout tries to Tonga 24-10. They play New Zealand at 11.24am today.
In another match New Zealand beat Tonga 38-0. day in and day out.
He has warned the players about keeping themselves in shape during the weekend break.
"They will have the weekend off so hopefully they will be back in good shape on Monday,.
"They just need to present themselves well otherwise they will be in trouble."
They will have the weekend off, so hopefully they will be back in good shape on Monday. – Vern Cotter