Fijiana 7s ready for next challenge.

The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team are all set to board the plane for the second round of the HSBC Women’s World Seven Series kicking off in Dubai next Thursday 29th November.

The team has been in camp in Suva since the Oceania 7s and Captain Litia Naqato says no chance has been wasted to make improvements towards achieving results in Dubai.

“We’ve been preparing well in our training this last two weeks. The girls have been doing the right things towards their preparation and I know that come Dubai we will be prepared for the tournament” she said.

Fiji face France, Canada and Spain in their pool matches and with France and Canada also in their pool in round one in Glendale, says the lessons learnt from the opening round are sure to help drive success in Dubai.

“We know that there was just a few mistakes that cost us in Glendale and we have been closely addressing those.  As we have the same pool in Dubai we have identified what we need to do to counter those teams and come away with success.”

For many of the new squad members, the trip to Dubai will be an experience outside their comfort zones, but Naqato says the girls are resilient and eager to give their all for Fiji on the field.

“It’s going to be exciting for some of the players, particiulary the new caps to travel.  Aside from playing rugby, it is many people’s dream to travel to these places and we are so lucky to be on the plane and visit these beautiful parts of the world.”

“It is their proudest moment to be representing Fiji, and to have a story to tell when they return to their families of the places they have been because of rugby.”

“We know the playing conditions will be different, Dubai is quite hot, but the girls are really strong and they can cope with anything that comes to them.  No matter where we travel to , the countries we are in, we will treat it like we are still in Fiji.”

There are many newcomers to the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team and with two tournaments under their belts, the first-time Captain says team cohesion is starting to deliver on targets set when the squad formed a few months ago.

“We’ve been together 2 months now and combinations are building well.  We’ve had some good game time together and have been improving on our skills and strengthening combinations across the line.  There should be a strong unit for this coming tournament in Dubai.”

“Leading the team is a big achievement for me, I’ve never Captained the National team before and I know as a veteran in the team, I have to step up and be a good role model for the new capped players, and to show them what it’s like to compete in these international tournaments.”

The Fijiana 7s HSBC Womens World Sevens Series Dubai 7s series commences next Thursday 29th November with Fiji playing Canada before France and then Spain before progressing through to the finals.

Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s Squad for Dubai 7s
Thursday 29th and Friday 30th November
The Sevens Stadium, Dubai

1.Litia Naqato
2.Asinate Savu
3.Vasiti Solikiviti
4.Bulou Joma Seru
5.Naina Baleca
6.Ema Adivitaloga
7.Mereula Toroti
8.Roela Radiniyavuni
9.Mereseini Rokouono
10.Ana Maria Naimasi
11.Paulini Korowaqa
12.Litiana Lewadrau

Alifereti Doviverata- Coach
Louis Uluibau – Trainer
Fugawai Bulivou – Physio
Peceli Derenalagi -Manager