Final push for glory
Government rally support for 7s team
The Minister for Youth and Sports Laisenia Tuitubou is confident the Vodafone Fijian 7s team will defend the World Sevens Series. The team is currently in London along with the overseasbased players preparing for the upcoming Paris 7s this weekend as they played a scrimmaging session against England last night. Tuitubou applauded coach Ben Ryan’s input in lifting the standard of 7s rugby in the country. “What separates us from everyone else is our natural skill and flair and Ben has really allowed our players to play our style,” Tuitubou said. “I’m confident in Ben and the boys. They have worked really hard to get to this point. “Everyone knows that our ultimate goal is winning gold at the Rio Olympics which is three months away. But defending the series will be a major boost going into the Olympics. “I really support Ben and his plan to win, he has said that we will not defend the series title but attack it and that is what they will be doing this weekend.”
With the five overseas-based players Samisoni Viriviri, Leone Nakarawa, Waisea Nayacalevu, Semi Kunatani and Josua Tuisova, Tuitubou said they have a lot of work cut out for them. “Ben has a lot of confidence in the local boys and they have trained really hard sticking to Ben’s training programmes,” he said.
“In saying that, these overseasbased players have their work cut out for them and they will really need to work hard.” Tuitubou has called on the rugby fans to rally behind the team and support them as they play their two last legs in Paris and London.
Fiji is in Pool B with Pacific rivals Samoa, Wales and Scotland.