READY FOR BATTLE

Fiji Airways Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber is happy to have the presence of Semi ‘Beast’ Kunatani in the squad as they prepare to defend the Hong Kong Sevens 7s title this weekend. Speaking from Hong Kong before naming his 13 players, Baber confirmed players are getting familiarized on the different combinations and aspects of the game before they take the field on Friday.

“We had our training session against Spain and the temperature is quiet nice about 2627 degrees at the moment and the boys are adjusting well to the grass pitch before we take the field for the games this weekend. “We played several different combinations and it is good to see Jasa Veremalua on the field who has just recovered from a knee injury and also Semi Kunatani who was part of the training sessions.

“And it was great to see the ‘Beast’ back in the 7s mood and we have certainly got some of our tackles and pace early into the game. “We also want the players to be focused from the kick offs right through the quarterfinal, semis and final. And we are happy to have players like Kunatani, Sevuloni Mocenacagi and Mesulame Kunavula who are great in the air and heights. Meanwhile, in pool games Fiji will play Samoa at 12.43am Saturday, Russia at 5.54pm New Zealand at 9.54pm.

The quarterfinals will be at 2.15pm Sunday, semifinals will start at 7.41pm and the final at 11pm.

Photo: Ian Muir COUNTDOWN….The Fiji Airways Fijians 7s team played warm –up matches against Spain on Tuesday and Coach Gareth Baber is happy with how the 16 players responded during the hit-out. Players took time out yesterday to watch the Hong Kong 10s. From left:...

Photo: Kitione Rokomanu/Zoomfiji Fiji Airways Fijian 7s captain Seremaia Tuwai stands beside the Hong Kong Sevens cup during the captain’s photo shoot on April 4, 2018.

Photo: Kitione Rokomanu/Zoomfiji Fiji Airways Fijian 7s squad member Samisoni Viriviri delivers during warm-up against Spain on April 3, 2018.

Photo: Kitione Rokomanu/Zoomfiji Fiji Airways Fijian 7s squad member Semi Kunatani defends during the warm-up against Spain on April 3, 2018.

Photo: Ian Muir Fiji Airways Fijian 7s squad members take time out in Hong Kong on April 4, 2018. From left: Amenoni Nasilasila, Sevuloni Mocenacagi,Apenisa Cakaubalavu.

Photo: Ian Muir Fiji Airways Fijian 7s squad in Hong Kong on April 4, 2018. From left: Mesulame Kunavula, Eroni Sau, Alasio Naduva and Apenisa Cakaubalavu.