7s rules change
Matawalu says players must learn and know
MISCOMMUNICATION in the interpretation of the new sevens laws may have been a cause of Fiji’s downfall at the opening two tournaments of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Nadroga Rugby Union president Tiko Matawalu believes more work should be done to minimise ill-discipline going forward.
With already 12 yellow cards dished out in two tournaments, Matawalu believed that most if not all of the yellow cards given were due to miscommunication in the interpretation of the law.
WITH a tough start to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series for the Fiji 7s team, Nadroga Rugby Union president Tiko Matawalu believes more work should be done to minimise illdiscipline going forward.
With already 12 yellow cards dished out in two tournaments, Matawalu believes that most if not all of the yellow cards given were due to a miscommunication in the interpretation of the law.
“They have to work more on the players’ interpretation of the law,” Matawalu said.
“They have to understand the new changes in the law and know it.
“I know coach Gareth Baber will already have plans on tackling this issue,” he said.
Matawalu said Fiji’s slow start was reminiscent of last year’s season and didn’t spell the end of the world.
“It is just early days and a ninth place finish in the Dubai 7s plus a fourth place finish at the Cape Town 7s doesn’t mean the series is over,”
Matawalu said he believed making the mistakes now was also best for the players with the 2020 Olympic Games only seven months away.
“It is better to make the errors now, make the mistakes and get it out of the system.
“The world series happens every year but the Olympics comes once every four years.
“Let them work on the inconsistencies now so when they reach Tokyo everything will be in tip top condition.”
The Fiji men’s and the Fijiana 7s teams will arrive in the country today after participating in the opening leg of the 2019/2020 series.