A pool packed with speed is what the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team finds itself up against in the Valladolid 7s, which starts today.
Fiji is grouped with Australia, South Africa and the United States in Pool B and head coach Richie Walker has affirmed how this element would be a key area to work towards when the competition kicks off.
“USA have tremendous speed across the board, Australia – we know what kind of speed they have and South Africa, they’re getting players back that were not in Hong Kong,” Walker explained.
“We know we have a tough pool and so we’ve bene managing that with pressure defence.
“We need to get up quick as we know if we don’t get speed this time, we have a real chance and opportunity. Otherwise, we know what those three teams bring.
Like their male counterparts coached by Osea Kolinisau, the Fijiana will also need to redeem themselves of their seventh-place finish at the Hong Kong 7s last month.
Australia finished second with 18 points on the World Championship Standings, the United States in fifth with 12 points and Spain behind Fiji in eighth with six points.
In seeking to redeem themselves this weekend, according to Walker, means drawing first blood in every opportunity they get.
“We’re going to try and force mistakes early, put points on the board early and really keep up our tempo and then use our substitution wisely and come out the other side with what we want,” he said.
“And that’s for us to win games!”
Fijiana 7s fixtures – Tonight at 8pm: Fiji v USA, Saturday at 12.51am: Fiji v Australia, 8pm – Fiji v South Africa.
