Fijiana 7s coach Saiasi Fuli expects tough matches during this year’s Rugby World Cup 7s in South Africa.
The RWC tournament will feature knockout matches and Fuli said the players should treat every match as a final. “It is a very tricky format as it is a knockout format,” Fuli said.
“It is not like the World Rugby Sevens Series or the Olympics where you are grouped in pools and you progress. Even if you lose in the pol games, you could eventually go on to be runner-up but for this format, once you lose you are out and when you win you progress.
“My message to them will be to play each match as a cup final.”
Fuli’s objective to his players is clear and that is to return with the Rugby World Cup Sevens title.
He backs his 13-member squad saying these are the players who are capable of achieving their objective. “This is a very balanced side and is the best squad available.
“For the past four years we have developed this team in terms of how well they can adapt and play in different competitions.
“We had been preparing well for this RWC and the players are up for the challenge.
“I know Rusila Nagasau and Lavenia Tinai are the only players who played in the last RWC. “I cannot depend on these past squad members from San Francisco as life moves on.
“We have to develop the next set of players and I am happy with the way they have performed despite being setback by COVID-19. This is a very solid squad and I believe they will go out and do their best.”
The Fijiana finished with a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games this year and Fuli said they came with a lot of work ons in preparation for the RWC.
“We outlined a lot of work-ons from the Commonwealth Games. We will really need to start well and to manage the game well. These are some key areas that we will try to improve on next week.
“Possession is vital in the game of 7s, we need to win in the contact areas, win breakdowns, and win the restarts to finish strong in the tournament.”
The Fijiana side flew out yesterday and will face Japan in their opening match next Friday at 11.17pm.
