The Fiji Rugby Union is confident the Fiji Airways Fiji 7s men’s side will win at least one of the next two tournaments on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
The Ben Gollings-coached side will compete at the Los Angeles tournament starting tomorrow while they play at the Vancouver tournament next weekend.
FRU interim chief executive officer Tevita Tuiloa said he was confident the side would win one, if not, both the tournaments with a revamped squad.
“The boys have prepared well. We have four new boys coming through.
They have a chance to improve themselves and they have been playing well in the development team,” Tuiloa said. “Very confident that they will win one if not both tournaments.”
The new players in the side are Army duo Anasa Qaranivalu and Rokoua Rasaku, Police forward Alusio Vakadranu and Uluinakau utility player Ponipate Loganimasi.
Tuiloa said the abbreviated code had become very competitive over the past few years and the side would need to minimise on mistakes.
“We have full confidence in the team. Sevens is such a competitive game. Any mistake can cost you the game as all the teams are up there now.”
Meanwhile, the USA 7s has not been a very good hunting ground for our 7s gladiators. In the past five tournaments, Fiji has played three finals but has not been able to win any. We did win the 2015 and 2016 tournaments in the USA, defeating New Zealand and Australia in the finals respectively.
The LA 7s kicks off tomorrow morning. Fiji will face Japan in the opening pool game at 7.05am.
The side will then play Kenya at 10.18am with the final pool game against Australia at 2.05pm.
The cup quarter-finals will start at 6.45am on Monday followed by the cup semi-finals at 10.14am and the cup final at 1.28pm.
