RUGBY 7s has developed tremendously for Fiji, Australia and Samoa, but in order for smaller countries to reach that level, they need to be involved in regular high level competitions, said former Tonga and Fijian international, Tomasi Lovo.
Lovo represented Tonga back in the 1986 and 1987 Hong Kong Sevens tournaments. He came to work in Fiji and played for the Fiji fifteens team from 1989-1993.
“If teams of the same level play against themselves, they will remain in the same level,” Lovo said referring to suggestions for a Mini Oceania 7s series.
“It’s a good idea, but it should involve development teams of 7s rugby tier one nations so that it could make the proposed series more competitive.
“Rugby has improved in terms of having a certain fitness level and good muscle conditioning of players unlike before where that did not really matter,” Lovo said.
He said in order for Oceania countries to take part in the proposed series, they should prepare themselves physically and mentally because those were two main components of modern rugby.
Meanwhile the Australian men’s 7s team thrashed New-Caledonia 57-5.
