Fitter, tougher, better..to be the Best.
Fiji Airways Men’s 7s dynamo Alasio Naduva says that his team must be the fittest and toughest team in the HSBC Series if they are to win in 2019.
With the official squad set to be announced within the coming weeks, Naduva says there is plenty of healthy competition fo a place in Fiji’s number one 7s team.
“There are some new faces and a lot of challenges. We have a lot of competition in every position and I have to work hard to be in this Series” he said.
“All of the boys want to play in this Series, I can see a lot of us working hard with great determination.”
Naduva made his series debut at the Sydney 7s last season and will be looking to build on the experiences learnt across the season.
“I worked hard last series, and will do again this year, because I always want to be the best version of myself” he said.
“I was very happy to be named in the Sydney 7s team last year, it was a big challenge for me, the competition was very physical and challenging, but I am looking forward to being part of the series this year.”
Speaking before training at the National Fitness Centre this week, the try scoring flyer says his focus is firmly set on making amends for the three big opportunities lost in season 2018.
“The learnings from last season, (World Cup, Commonwealth Games and HSBC Series) have taken me to another level of rugby.”
“I still remember those three games, but I will try my best to make Fiji proud this Series, and keep working hard also with a focus on the Olympics.”
Whilst the 2018/19 HSBC Series does signal the start of the countdown towards the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, the team are still firmly focussed on chasing the Series title.
“We have to work on the Coaches vision, be the fittest and the toughest and the hardest working team in the series.”
“If we work hard and train well we will reach our goals, which is to win the World Series.”
For Naduva, this season’s Series will provide one more challenge, with the absence of close friend and try scoring counter part Eroni Sau, who made the move to Top14 team Perpignan in the off season.
“I am missing him so much, but have been watching him do his thing, including scoring against Agen last weekend”
“I will work hard with the boys to try and cover the gap left by him, but it is good for him to be over there, providing for his family’s future.”
Fiji Rugby will need to keep working hard at lifting the playing contracts and opportunities for their Sevens talent if they’re to retain the best talent on island.
The potential introduction of a structured season may be just what the country needs to lift the standard and quality of competition for Fiji’s beloved game.
“If the boys can be playing top quality competition regularly and learning the World Series code, then that will make the Fiji team stronger.”