On the radar
THE man who should become Fiji’s most successful 7s coach (if he wraps up the Tokyo Olympics gold medal) revealed that Semi ‘The Beast’ Kunatani and Semi ‘The Trailer’ Radradra were on his radar as he prepares to defend the legacy set by his predecessor Ben Ryan in the wilds of Brazil.
Baber was under a lot of criticism in his first year of coaching but he requested for fans to be patient and now the ‘Dragon’ has become number one with the fans.
Under the Baber era Fiji has won five back to back tournaments on the WRSS and our boys have dominated WRSS player statistics. Baber has unleashed young guns in Tuimaba, Botitu, Derenalagi and Napolioni Ratu and I’m sure we will see more young ones blazing the field come the new series.
Baber has labelled the overseas players as quality but I believe our local boys who have taken us through the 2018/19 WRSS and brought fame and glory to our magical islands must be given an equal opportunity to don the national jumper in the Land of the Rising Sun as the ultimate aim will be to secure the crown from giants NZ, the USA Eagles, Australia, and Great Britain, and the hosts Japan, who would have gained tonnes of motivation from the performance of the Brave Blossoms, who made it into the RWC quarters.
Finally, I agree with Baber that it is paramount for the 7s team to play and train together so that the mistakes from the Commonwealth 7s final and the RWC semis do not come back to haunt and disappoint us.
Until then continue with the good work Gareth as we look forward to the start of the 2019/20 WRSS!