Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team on track
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s coach Gareth Baber has been impressed with the response of the players in training as they prepare for the Hong Kong tournament beginning this Friday.
Arriving in Hong Kong on Thursday last week, the Fijian 7s side have completed several training sessions together including a scrimmaging against the host nation. With the focussed camp a timely boost for Baber to monitor the players closely and polish on any work ons before the tournament commences.
Baber said the players need to be on their toes if they are to perform their best at the Hong Kong 7s.
“We’re focussing on the quality of techniques the players have to put in especially under pressure. Notably things like kick-off, restart is very important to be able to control the possession and put our style of game against our opponents.”
With a few new faces and a relatively inexperienced side when it comes to the Hong Kong tournament, there is not stone being left unturned in this week’s critical preparations.
“There are many aspects that I look at individually and also what the team needs to be able to deliver. From a restart, to a throw in to catch and pass plus to tackles. That’s really what the beauty of rugby is, not just one trick you are looking from one player. You should be able to combine those tricks in a player to be able to put all those roles into a team to form the game you want.”
Baber added being pooled with arch rivals New Zealand, Australia and Kenya means there are a few ways the players need to approach their opponents.
“Attitude and work ethic carries you a huge amount . The technical skill plus having that ability to do things that the opposition can’t mark. That’s the trade mark of most of the Fijians and getting everything right is really important for us this weekend.”
The Fiji Airways Fijian 7s side face Kenya in their first match at 11.37pm on Friday.
They take on Australia at 5.13pm on Saturday and then clash against New Zealand in a mouth-watering battle at 8.55pm Saturday.