THE Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side will rely heavily on communication and teamwork as they aim to finish their World Rugby Sevens Championship campaign on a high note at the Bordeaux 7s in France, which started last night.
Head coach Richard Walker said the team’s success would depend on how well players connect and support each other throughout the tournament, particularly in pressure situations.
Walker said communication on and off the field had become a key focus for the squad as they prepare for the final leg of the series.
“The biggest thing for us is making sure we stay connected as a team,” Walker said.
“In sevens rugby, things happen very quickly and if players are not communicating well, it becomes difficult to respond to different situations during a game.”
He said effective communication goes beyond calling plays on the field and includes how players encourage and support each other when momentum shifts.
“We want the players talking constantly, helping each other and making good decisions together. When we do that, we are a much stronger team,” he said.
Walker added that teamwork would be equally important against quality opposition in Bordeaux, where every match will test the squad’s discipline and resilience.
The Fijiana side has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, producing strong performances against some of the world’s leading teams.
However, maintaining consistency across an entire tournament remains one of the team’s key objectives.
Walker believes strong teamwork will help players stay focused on their processes rather than the scoreboard.
“We have worked hard on building trust within the group. The players understand their roles and responsibilities, and when everyone works together, it gives us the best opportunity to perform well,” he said.
With the Bordeaux 7s marking the final stop of the World Rugby Sevens Championship season, Walker is hoping the team can produce a complete performance and finish the campaign with momentum.
“The goal is to put together consistent performances across the whole weekend. If we communicate well, stay connected and play for each other, we will give ourselves every chance to finish strongly,” he said.
The Fijiana 7s side faced Japan in their opening pool match last night, met Australia this morning at 3.15am in their second match, and will play Brazil in their final pool game tonight at 11.32pm.
