THE Tuvalu 7s rugby team will take part in this weekend’s Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s to help improve its players, says strength and conditioning coach Louis Uluibau.
“It is for the development of our players,” Uluibau said.
“We are here to gain exposure and experience.
There is no better place to learn 7s rugby than Fiji. Our expectations are not high, but we will give our best in the tournament.
“The players know what is required and they will work hard in learning from some of the top teams in Fiji.”
Uluibau has been coaching Tuvalu for some time.
“Our oppositions will come firing at us and we have to be prepared for that,” Uluibau said.
“The team received a timely boost for the tournament with a sponsor which helped fund playing kits, and training T-shirts.
“We are grateful to our sponsors Branscombe Marine Consultant Limited which partnered with Tuvalu Rugby Union which was formed in 2007.”
Rugby union played in Tuvalu is largely played on an informal basis alongside football which is the main sport.
The team, meanwhile, has been training in Fiji for a month
“We had been training in Fiji for some time now and we expect to improve our performance after arriving into the country earlier this month.
“This is part of the Tuvalu Rugby Union’s strategy to develop the sport in Tuvalu where TRU, for the first time, has secured the services of Fijian coaches to assist in the development.
“A blend of some Fijian boys to play with the Tuvalu boys helped the local players build their experience and confidence in the game,” he said.
The tournament starts at Prince Charles Park in Nadi today.
