Last 4 target for Fuli
FIJI Airways Fijiana 7s head coach Saiasi Fuli has set their target on finishing in the top four at this weekend’s HSBC Los Angeles 7s tournament in the US.
“Our primary target this weekend is to make it past the quarter-finals and finish in the top four,” Fuli said.
The side has not been able to make it past the quarters for the past four HSBC 7s tournaments, and Fuli is looking to turn things around this weekend.
“It’s a challenge for us to come out strong in the pool and get past the quarters. Unfortunately, this was the issue in the past four tournaments,” the former Fiji 7s player said. “But we will fight and try our best to squeeze into the semifinals.”
The side finished in 7th place at the Vancouver 7s last weekend and has amazed 40 points from the four opening tournaments.
“Our goal is to slowly build our way up the standings and to ultimately qualify for the Madrid 7s later this year,” Fuli added.
With a handful of new players in the squad, Fuli admitted it has not been easy for the players with the transition to the high level of competition.
“But there’s no other way to it, we have to introduce our new players to the competition now so they can get the exposure they need as we build towards the Olympics and the last tournament for this HSBC Series.”
Looking at the group his side has been placed in, Fuli says the players will have to dig deep if they hope to achieve their targets this weekend.
“We have another tough assignment ahead of us, especially with this being a back-to-back tournament.
“Tomorrow (today), we face Brazil and then South Africa and New Zealand. We will need to fight hard to progress for us to maximise our points.”
They play Brazil at 1.14pm today for their opening match. Tomorrow, the side faces South Africa at 8.26am and New Zealand at 1.24pm.