LESS than an hour before the shadow national 7s team, the Fiji Babas, played their final pool match against the Nationwide Sydney Nadi 7s team in the 2026 McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji 7s and lost 14-19, former Fiji 7s player Pio Tuwai said the team needed a lot of improvement.
Times Sport caught up with Tuwai, a coaching official for the New Zealand Fijian Cavaliers 7s side, who observed the Fiji Babas second pool match against Police Blue on Thursday afternoon.
“I’ve been watching their matches from yesterday (Thursday) and in their match against Police, the players in both sides knew each other,” Tuwai noted.
He was no stranger as well to the experienced players in both teams, such as Waisea Nacuqu for Police Blue and Fiji Babas head coach and former teammate Osea Kolinisau.
From that game, Tuwai derived defence and tackles as key components of their approach that needed to be improved on greatly, in light of what lay beyond the tournament.
“There are a lot of things that need to be improved on such as their defence and tackles especially,” he pointed out.
“They need to improve on these areas most importantly before they prepare for the remaining legs of the (HSBC SVNS) series.”
Meanwhile, in the broader scope of the tournament, Tuwai said its growth over the years is testament to the provision of free entry made available to fans and supporters who came from around Fiji and the world to cheer on the best 7s teams assembled.
Noting this, he reflected on how the Coral Coast 7s provided a pathway towards allowing players with hidden talents to shine through and make a powerful impact.
“Yes, most importantly as we’re seeing the abundant level of talent in the country, many of them play really well and as I said before, it’s just not a door to the national team or New Zealand, there are so many others.
“There are so many opportunities that we do not know of that can be opened which they can elevate their talent through.”
Meanwhile, the Coral Coast 7s ends today.
