WITH the Hamilton 7s kicking off this week, our boys must get their focus and do the basics right to repeat the 2018 and 2019 heroics, where we beat South Africa and USA 24-17 and 38-0, respectively!
Coach Ben Gollings included two time Olympic Games gold medallist and the greatest 7s player Jerry Tuwai into the Fiji Airways men’s 7s team for the Hamilton 7s tournament. Tuwai was badly missed at So Kon Po and in Dubai and Cape Town where Fiji faltered miserably.
Experienced players like Waisea Nacuqu, Vuiviwa Naduvalo, Alasio Naduva, Josua Vakurinabili and Sevuloni Mocenacagi will team up with the likes of Jeremaia Matana, Josese Batirerega, Tira Patterson, Josevani Drava, Filipe Sauturaga, Pilipo Bukayaro, Iowane Teba and Manueli Maisamoa in a bid to win our first Cup title.
Rock-solid towering and lethal forward Josefa Talacolo’s experience will be heavily missed, but we have a solid mix.
Consistency is a must
Head coach Ben Gollings is aware that the 7s side under-performed in the last two tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town. The side finished runner-up at So Kon Po, but then dropped to ninth and then fifth in the last leg.
Hence, this weekend’s Hamilton 7s tournament gives Gollings and the boys the wonderful opportunity to bounce back, show their form and consistency, and win the Hamilton 7s.
The three tournaments on the circuit have produced different winners, with traditional giants and arch rivals Fiji and the All Blacks 7s yet to win. Australia, South Africa and Samoa have won the three previous tournaments, beating Fiji 20-17, Ireland 21-5 and the All Blacks 7s 12-7.
Fiji must produce its scintillating form from the 2021-22 circuit and 2022 HK 7s where we attacked and defended like men possessed.
Flying Fijians face Cape Town 7s champions
Samoa’s head coach Muliagatele Brian Lima announced a powerpacked squad for the Hamilton 7s.
He has roped in the likes of Melani Matavao, Paul Eti Slater, Neueli Leitufi a, Motu Opetai, Owen Niue, Paul Scanlan, Steve Onosai, Uaina Sione, Levi Milford, Taunuu Niulevaea, Tuna Tuitama and Vaafauese Apelu Aaliko, Vaovasa Afa Su’a and Faafoi Falaniko who made the Cape Town 7s Dream Team.
Samoa will be our toughest pool opponent as the blues won the Cape Town 7s, defeating the All Blacks 7s 12-7. Samoa currently leads the 2022-23 HSBC WRSS circuit with 47 points, seven ahead of Fiji.
Since taking over, Samoa rugby legend, Brian Lima, has transformed the Samoan 7s team.
Prior to winning the Cape Town 7s, they finished fourth in HK (15 points) and seventh in Dubai (10 points). Their passing sticks and their defensive structure has tremendously improved. Lima has instilled a lot of passion and pride in his team.
Underdogs France and Kenya a threat
France is ranked seventh on the circuit with 38 points, while the Darmian McGrath coached Kenyans are ranked 14th with nine points. French 7s coach Jerome Daret will rely on the likes of Stephen Parez, Paulin Riva, Williame Iraguha, veteran Jonathan Laugel, Pierre Lucas, Rayan Rebbadj, Nisie Huyard, Varian Pasquet, Leraltre Paul, Marius Domon, Joseph Jefferson and Aaron Grandidier.
France finished third in HK, and collected 13 points in Dubai, but finished ninth in Cape Town and collected eight points for their efforts. On the other hand, the Shujaa has not done too well on the circuit, but will always be a threat on the circuit when travelling fans boost the side with their voices.
Head coach Damian McGrath has recalled Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno and Brian Tanga have been recalled to the side as well as John Okoth to replace the injured Vincent Onyala. Floyd Wabwire was the other debutant named by McGrath who expressed his optimism that Wabwire would fit in well.
With off-field issues now seemingly over after the recent sponsorship, McGrath is pumped up going into the Hamilton. Fiji will have to take every pool game seriously and not underestimate any pool opponent. All the best to the Flying Fijians in Hamilton!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam is a regular contributor to this newspaper and the views expressed in this article are his and not of The Fiji Times
