After the conclusion of the first leg, Fiji’s performance may not be up to fans’ expectations, but I guess we have to be content with what our boys have achieved.
A fourth place finish in Dubai and fifth place finish in Cape Town.
The one thing that will make a difference in Hamilton and Sydney is consistency.
This has been something that has been haunting our sports crazy nation.
Our teams are not consistent with their performance, be it soccer, netball, rugby league or union and this is something that all stakeholders must sit and discuss.
If we are to be successful at the international arena then we need to be consistent.
In Dubai, Fiji lost to Africa and England and in Cape Town, despite the 19-0 lead against Africa,we faltered.
Then somehow our boys bounced back to beat England and USA with a resounding performance.
In Hamilton we are pooled alongside Cape Town 7s champions the All Blacks and the Hamilton 7s will be an epic weekend that will bring the city alive for a mind-blowing festival of entertainment and explosive rugby.
Therefore, a lot of efforts are needed if we are to catch up on NZ, South Africa and England.
Meanwhile, while watching Fiji’s games at the Cape Town 7s, if there’s a half-time message that awed me it was the message from USA coach Mike Friday “control the possession of the game and frustrate them, then you will get your rewards, they’ll go high and to the sin bin. Don’t give them cheap turnovers”.
That’s how our opposition rates the Flying Fijians.
They know without the ball we lose our cool and shift our focus from the game plan.
Now this is an area that (coach) Gareth Baber will have to work on while moulding our forwards in Josua, Paula, Api and Nasoko to be aggressive.
In the backs, Jerry, Temo, Sau, Nasilasila and Stewart hold the key to a win.
Our boys must lift their fitness levels, the intensity and tempo and learn to play until the final whistle.
It’s not over yet and we must not give up supporting Baber and the boys.
