Sevens focus

GARETH Baber has exactly one year to prepare the best

Fiji sevens squad to defend the Olympics gold medal in

Japan next year.

Leading up to the 2016

Rio Olympics former sevens coach the legendary Ben Ryan had something special up his sleeve.

He had a fair idea of the players that he needed and he made the boys sweat out for the sevens jumper.

No one was guaranteed a place in the team –– not even Jarryd Hayne and Pio Tuwai who were eventually dropped out of the 13-member squad.

Big names such as Bill Mata, Josua Tuisova and Leone Nakarawa had to prove their worth while our locals Osea Kolinisau, Jerry Tuwai, Savenaca Rawaca, Vatemo Ravouvou, Semi Kunatani, Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Samisoni Viriviri, Jasa Veremalua, Apisai Domolailai and Kitione Taliga had to make endless sacrifices to make the cut to Rio.