THE Fiji Airways Fiji men’s rugby sevens team arrived early in Hong Kong as they step up preparations for the 50th edition of the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens.
Coached by Osea Kolinisau, the squad landed on Sunday with a clear focus on building momentum ahead of the competition.
Adding excitement to the lineup is the inclusion of three new players from the Yaro Chiefs trio Wame Ratuva, Tomasi Vuluma Stark, and Isaia Rugu who are all in line to make their debut for the national side.
Their introduction brings fresh energy as Fiji aims to make a strong impact on the tournament.
Kolinisau acknowledged the significance of Hong Kong for Fiji, highlighting the strong support the team receives there.
He noted that many fans in Hong Kong consider Fiji their home team, creating a special atmosphere for the players.
At the same time, he reflected on lessons learned from the team’s recent setback in New York City, emphasising the importance of starting well and securing qualification for the next series.
Drawing on his own experiences, Kolinisau also recalled his memorable performance in the 2013 Hong Kong final, where he scored a rare hat-trick an achievement that remains one of the standout moments on this iconic stage.
Fiji will open their campaign against Germany next Friday at 5.11pm, followed by a clash with Great Britain at 8.21pm.
They will then face France on Saturday at 4:13pm in their final pool match.
The tournament will move into the knockout stages with the quarter-finals scheduled for Saturday night, the semi-finals on Sunday evening, and the final set to be played later that night.
Meanwhile, series champions South Africa headline Pool A alongside Argentina, Spain, and Uruguay, while Pool C features strong contenders Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Kenya.
