VODAFONE Fiji 7s head coach Ben Ryan is confident the two new players named in the team for the next leg of HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series will get their baptism of fire in Las Vegas this weekend.

But Ryan said he believed Josua Vici and Masivesi Dakuwaqa would rise to the occasion.

The duo were named in the 14-men squad to play at the rubber turf field in Sin City, Las Vegas. Ryan supported the selection of the two new players saying they proved worthy to be in the team.

“Masi is an excellent physical go forward type of forward, athletic, good step, good fend and is a good clever defender,” Ryan said.

And with his aggressive forward play Ryan said, “He’s gonna be pushing for a starting spot.”

With Kadavu man Vici, Ryan said “He’s quick.”

Ryan left earlier for Los Angeles over the weekend for a meeting before the team joins him in Las Vegas.

He said Vici had been running the 40m dash at 4.79seconds which to the Englishman was “decent” speed.

“He’s got good step, he’s got a nice fend and he’s starting to understand our system in defence. So pretty confident that both these boys will go well in the next two tournaments.”

Fiji will go into Vegas as the reigning champs of the USA 7s with tournament to begin on March 4-6. Fiji is pooled with Argentina, France and Samoa.