TWO international rugby sevens stars have supported USA 7s head coach Mike Friday’s opinion of giving Fiji a chance to host a leg of the HSBC World SVNS Series.
South Africa 7s winger Rosko Specman and former Ireland rugby sevens captain Harry McNulty supported the possibility of hosting a leg of the World Series at a part of the world regarded as a rugby sevens heaven.
While Specman admitted that there are still a few things that Fiji lacks, the support of people alone should be convincing enough for a series leg to be held in Fiji.
He drew examples from the 2025 McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast Sevens and how the crowd turned up from Thursday until Saturday.
“I think in terms of the crowd, the atmosphere, that is 7s, it’s nothing else. You can see people coming for three days now, back-to-back so they really love 7s,” he said.
Irish two-time Olympian McNulty said Fiji hosting a series tournament is something he wanted to happen for a long time.
“I think there are a couple of places around the world including Ireland and Argentina, I think these places around the world, the respect and knowledge around the game in Fiji is very strong and it is growing in other parts of the world. I think it will be beneficial for the game to bring it to a place where it is so well known, so well understood, so well supported,” McNulty said.
Like Specman, McNulty was impressed with the heavy presence of people since day one of the Coral Coast Sevens.
“This tournament started on a Thursday and there’s people here coming to support. You put that in other parts of the world on a Thursday, you’re not going to have people coming. Look around now (Saturday), the whole place is full, people coming in, kids to older people as well and everybody wants to be here supporting and they understand everything.”
It’s Fiji’s appreciation of sevens rugby that earns them the need to host a tournament.
“It is the only place in the world where I’ve come, and get stopped on the streets, they know my name, my team, my position, how I played in the last tournament, everything so it’s very special for me as well. I feel that what I’m doing as a rugby player is being acknowledged and supported. That makes everything worthwhile so I think it will be important for a leg to come here and I hope that that happens,” he added.
Still on the topic of fans, the crowd at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka saw glimpses of the ‘Spec magic’- one that was only seen through TV screens. The cheers from the crowd surprised the speedster.
“I didn’t really expect a lot of fans here but I must say that every time when I play Fiji around the world, they always have a crowd so to come to Fiji and play here is special.
“We don’t get that anywhere in the world so I must say that I am really blessed and thank God for giving me this talent and the opportunity to come to Fiji,” he added.
Specman and McNulty played for Mike Friday’s Sevens Select at the Coral Coast 7s.
