The Fiji men’s national sevens team needs to execute the fundamentals of the code for a chance to win the HSBC SVNS Dubai tournament which kicks off on Saturday.
This was the gist of former Fiji sevens winger Vilimoni Delasau’s interview with SUNsports yesterday.
“I believe all the work is done and the onus is on the players to do us proud, I believe it won’t be easy,” Delasau said.
“I saw the team perform at the Mataso sevens and I could say that their fitness has improved.”
Delasau said all teams in the HSBC SVNS series are competitive.
“They are up to par with their fitness and their sevens programme development,” he said.
“It won’t be easy, but I have faith in the coaching staff, and I believe they have done their job to make us proud.”
Delasau said he was pleased with the coach’s squad selection for the Dubai 7s tournament.
“Now that the right players are selected, I believe that we’ll finish in the top four,” he said.
“I won’t mind us losing in the quarterfinals since it’s the first tournament. I won’t be surprised if the team finishes at the top four.”
Delasau is hopeful that the team would reach the final and wishes the team well.
“Either we win or lose in the final, it is where we need to be,” he said.
“I urge these players to be united and do it from their heart not to be seen or to be a star,” he said.
“They need to take pride in the white jersey because the upcoming players that came in the last few years have lost the zeal to represent the country. I just want that restored in the upcoming players is to have the zeal that we used to have to die for our country.”
The Fiji men’s team is in the same pool as Spain, United States and New Zealand while the Fijiana side is pooled with Ireland, Australia and China.
Fiji men acclimatise
The Fiji Airways Fiji men’s rugby sevens team are adjusting to the Dubai weather since arriving last week in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Head coach Osea Kolinisau acknowledged the support of the UAE rugby for hosting them before the tournament kicks off on Saturday.
“We know Fiji is a long way from Dubai, we know it really means a lot to come and acclimatise especially to the weather and time difference,” he said.
“We’re thankful to the UAE rugby team for sharing their pitch with us and allowing us play scrag game so we can test some of the thing we’re trying to improve on before Saturday.”
Kolinisau added that the scrimmage would help the side in their preparation ahead of the Dubai 7s.
He also hopes that one day UAE Rugby will play in the HSBC SVNS series.
Fixtures:
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s
Saturday:
6:06pm: Fiji v Spain
9:52pm: Fiji v United States
Sunday:
3:10am: Fiji v New Zealand
Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s
Saturday:5:44pm: Fiji v Ireland
9:05pm: Fiji v Australia
Sunday: 1:13am: Fiji v China
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
