Fijivillage
28 February, 2026, 6:17 am
Central - 23°C Clouds
28 February, 2026, 6:17 am Central - 23°C Clouds

Anybody’s game at the Madrid 7s – Ben Gollings

Anybody’s game at the Madrid 7s – Ben Gollings

By Mosese Raqio
29/05/2024
Former Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s coach and England Rugby 7s legend Ben Gollings

Former Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s coach and England Rugby 7s legend Ben Gollings believes it is anybody’s game in the upcoming HSBC Madrid 7s this weekend.

Gollings says it is interesting to see that there has not been one team that has had complete consistency.

He says people would think that Argentina, who are the men’s League winners, has been up there but a lot of teams have been up one minute and down the next.

He adds trying to pick winners is not straightforward.

Gollings says if he were to pick, there is a possibility of an Argentina versus New Zealand in the final.

He says on paper at the moment, people would argue that Ireland and New Zealand would be favourites in Pool B based on form but South Africa and Fiji could cause an upset.

Gollings says there is a lot to play for and it adds to the pressure these teams have to manage.

The Madrid 7s will be held from Friday night to Monday morning.

The Fiji Men will take on NZ at 12.14am Saturday, they will then play Ireland at 11.06pm Saturday before taking on South Africa at 1.49am Sunday. The Men’s cup semi finals will kick off at 10.21pm Sunday and the cup final will be at 6.26am Monday.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s will take on France at 11.28pm Friday, they will then play Australia at 10.22pm Saturday before playing Ireland at 1.05am Sunday. The Women’s Cup semi finals will kick off at 9.33pm Sunday and the cup final will be at 5.49am Monday.

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Joshua Rahman freed after Court of Appeal quashes cocaine conviction
Canadian national Joshua Rahman is now a free man after the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction and set aside his 23 years imprisonment for possess...
11 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
UniFiji urges tougher action on traffickers in Counter-Narcotics submission
The University of Fiji has called for a modern, proportionate and constitutionally grounded legal framework as part of its formal submissions on the ...
11 hours ago

16 people charged in relation to $3B cocaine bust further remanded in custody
The 16 people who were involved in relation to the $3 billion Vatia cocaine drug seizure have been further remanded in custody.The 16 people ...
12 hours ago

25-year-old charged with rape of two tourists to take plea next month
A 25-year-old tour guide charged with the rape and sexual assault of two tourists has been further remanded in custody and will take his plea on 5th ...
12 hours ago

15-year-old pleads not guilty to rape charges
A 15-year-old has pleaded not guilty to charges of raping two overseas volunteers. The juvenile who is charged with two counts of rape, two counts ...
13 hours ago

New well-being centre launched at St Giles Hospital to support healthcare workers
Today marks a memorable occasion for the staff of St Giles Hospital with the opening of a new well-being centre designed to help nurses and doctors ...
13 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
National Talanoa Session on Illicit Drugs in Fiji: 2,400 drug-related cases recorded in 2025
The illicit drug situation in Fiji has been described as a national emergency, with 2,400 drug-related cases recorded in 2025. Minister for Policing ...
18 hours ago

Charlie Charters held at Nadi Airport because of a FICAC flag on his file
Fijian national, Charlie Charters is being held at immigration at Nadi International Airport because of a FICAC flag on his file.fijivillage News has ...
21 hours ago

Minister ready to repay business class air fare for wife as concerns grow about Sports Council deals
I was invited to travel to New Zealand by the Fiji Sports Council for a grassroots 7s tournament in 2024, I travelled business class but it was ...
22 days ago

TOP