There is no place in the world like Fiji when it comes to playing sevens rugby.

That was the view of Australian development player Connor Hickey during the second day of the McDonald’s Coral Coast Sevens tournament at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, yesterday.

“The talent you come up against is second to none,” Hickey told SUNsports.

“It’s awesome to come here, face great opposition and test ourselves. From here we can rank ourselves against the best players in the world.”

He said the depth of sevens’ players in the country was unreal.

“We can see how the local clubs are going toe- to-toe against the best teams in the world. It’s really good coming up against them.”

Hickey wants to play consistently and further develop himself as a rugby player.

He also highlighted that local players’ stand a chance of getting recruited by other national sevens teams around the world.

“The skillset they (local players) have with limited resources, if you put them in a professional environment with lots of resources and funding; you could see them develop into rugby stars.”

Hickey wants to meet two-time Olympic gold medallists Jerry Tuwai.

“Growing up he was always one of my favourite players to watch as we always have a soft spot for the Fijian sevens team.

“He is not the biggest player but you can see by the way he plays. Jerry’s got a big heart he is always making that effort from the back whether on attack or defence.”

Feedback: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj