‘I want to help,’ Sir-Revi

7s genius offers to aid the Fiji team

THE king of sevens rugby, Waisale Serevi, has again extended his helping hand to the Fiji 7s team ahead of the defence of the Olympic Games gold medal in Japan.

Serevi, honoured globally as the best 7s player of all time, is in the country for a short visit.

He said he was always ready to help the Fiji 7s team on the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games if needed.

“I always look at the Fiji 7s team as my family, so for me, if they need help I am always ready to support coach Gareth Baber and the players,” said Serevi.

He is the first Fijian coach to win the World Rugby Sevens Series.

THE king of sevens rugby, Waisale Serevi says Fiji 7s will always be a part of him.

He is ready to help the current team and coach Gareth Baber if needed as the route to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games draws closer.

"It is the dream of any sevens player or coach to go to the Olympic Games," Serevi, who is in the country, said.

"I always look at the Fiji 7s team as my family, so for me, if they need help I am always ready to lend a hand to coach Gareth Baber and the players.”

Serevi is the first Fijian coach to win the World Rugby Sevens Series title as coach and player.

“I will support them and hope for the best."

Meanwhile, Serevi said talks were still ongoing for a pathway to allow emerging Fijian players to ply their trade in Russia.

He is the director of the Russia Federation Rugby 7s program and believes that the opportunity brings a lot of advantages to the players and Russia in terms of developing the sport further.

"If New Zealand, Japan, Australia and other big rugby nations are taking foreign players I believe that is also an option for Russia."

Meanwhile, the Fiji 7s team hopes of retaining the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title looks bleak, with only one tournament win and sitting third on the overall series standing on 83 points, a total of 32 points behind the series leader New Zealand.

Fiji has only won a tournament so far this season.

Baber has failed to win the Commonwealth Games title in 2018 in Australia and has a big challenge in defending the Olympic Games rugby 7s title Ben Ryan won in 2016.

Picture: HSBC HSBC Ambassador Waisale Serevi during one of his clinics at an international rugby 7s tournament. Serevi is offering his service to help the Fiji 7s team for the Olympic Games in Japan.

Picture: ATU RASEA Namadi Babas flanker Vetaia Rakatia runs the ball towards the Lomaiviti Black in the Koroturaga competition of the Suva Rugby Union at Nasova ground on Saturday.

Picture: FILE Waisale Serevi is still regarded as the best rugby player in the world.