The national 7s team is looking for a “magic recipe” to win a third Olympic Games gold medal.
This was expressed by consultant national program manager for 7s rugby Gareth Baber as the side departed the country on Monday for the Paris Olympic Games.
Baber was asked about the team’s performance in the past several tournaments, extending over 20 HSBC SVNS tournaments, where the national 7s men’s team have not clinched a cup title, and whether critics have ruled them out of contention for the Olympic gold.
“For obvious reasons, they probably would, because we haven’t played with the standards that Fiji has set across the world.
“Our ambition is to recreate that (winning momentum). We know everybody around the world knows that Fiji is quite capable of winning any tournament and they just haven’t found that performance level.”
When questioned about the inclusion of an overseas-based player and two Fijian Drua reps into the side he said they were looking for that magic recipe of combining talents.
“Obviously, it has been a short runway into what you want to go into the most important competition in these players’ lives and our lives.
“You know, obviously we’re looking for that magic recipe of combining talents with the quality of leadership with good people who are ready to go and fight for their country.”
He said from head coach Osea Kolinisau’s and the coaching team’s perspective, their plan leading up to the Olympics was not just about talent.
“It is about being able to understand what the pressures are around the Olympic tournament, the conditioning level of the players, and ultimately what we can combine to produce that performance six times (six matches) in four days.
