It will be déjà vu for Fiji Airways Fijian 7s coach Ben Gollings when he reaches the Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po this weekend.
Gollings, who represented England 7s from 2000-2011, was part of the team that lifted the Hong Kong 7s title for three years in a row from 2002-2004.
However, this time, things will be different for the 42-year-old as he guides his newly adopted south sea nation with the best record in the tournament with 19 championship titles.
Gollings said there would be pressure on the team as they went into the tournament as five-time champions.
“It is funny for me because obviously being an Englishman, I had some glory years in Hong Kong,” he said.
“There, I experienced what the Hong Kong 7s was for us as English, but then I also saw how big it was for Fiji.
“So to be there now as the head coach of Fiji and going into this tournament, I know for well what this tournament means.
“The last time Fiji played, they set a new record of five in a row.
“So we go there as five times champions in a row which is significant.
“There is pressure and expectation for us to make that six which is our focus right now.”
Fiji’s five-year-in-a-row win at Hong Kong started in 2016 when the side defeated New Zealand 33-19.
Fiji beat NZ 21-7 (2017), South Africa 22-0 (2018), Kenya 24-12 (2019), France 21-7 (2020).
