Double Olympic Games gold medal winner Jerry Tuwai has challenged the national side to lift its performance at the Dubai 7s.
He urged members of the team to give their best effort in the second round of the event.
“To the boys, there is nothing new. Where we go we still love to play rugby, play as a team. Work together and believe in yourselves,” he said.
The 7s superstar urged Fijian supporters to rally behind the players.
“We should give our support to them and pray for them. They were the same as us, but with your support we made it through and I know these players will also deliver if we just give them a second chance.”
Coming from a player the calibre of Tuwai, the show of support will no doubt be welcomed by both the players and fans around the world.
It means a lot coming from a seasoned campaigner.
Tuwai knows the demands of playing at that level.
He understands the challenges players endure, the demand on their time, skills and ability to remain composed under intense pressure during game time.
He has been through the scenarios our players now find themselves in.
Tuwai knows a strong support base is critically important.
He knows how much it will mean for our team, and how that support can motivate a team.
That is why it means so much to be coming out like this, urging fans to provide that base.
Our players need to know they have our backing.
They need to know we believe in them, and they need to have the confidence to do their best, and subsequently live up to expectations.
There can be no doubts about how much this team means to Fijians now.
We have a team of rookies who took the world by storm last weekend.
They went into the Dubai event as unknowns last weekend, and appear to have struck the right buttons.
Aside from punching above their weight, so to speak, they turned heads with early results that dumped giants such as France, Australia and Kenya.
We succumbed to the US Eagles in the semi-finals but not before rocking them early in the game.
On the homefront, their exploits have surely served as motivation for many young Fijians keen to make a name for themselves in the game.
For instance, up in the upper reaches of Cakaudrove on Vanua Levu, at Naqaravutu in Tunuloa, the village team has been in training, preparing for the Wairiki 7s on Taveuni next week.
It seems former national 15s flyer Manueli Tiko has been assisting the team prepare for the event.
A member of the national side in Dubai, a rookie, Manueli Maisamoa hails from Nadavaci Village, which is right next to Naqaravutu.
There seems to be a sense of appreciation of the fact that rookies can make the national team.
All they need is an opportunity to prove themselves.
Now that is a massive challenge and inspiration for many youngsters right now.
Go Fiji, go.
