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Baber wants Fiji 7s team to be strong when under pressure

Baber wants Fiji 7s team to be strong when under pressure
Apisai Domolailai on attack for the Fiji 7s team against Japan in their first pool match (Photo: Hong Kong 7s).

Coach Gareth Baber wants the Fiji 7s team to robust as possible under pressure and when they do not have possession.

Baber says he is also under pressure to keep the team marching through the tournament in the same direction.

He says there is also a lot of pressure on the team but he wants to continue to strengthen their attack and defense.

Speaking after Fiji’s win over Japan, Baber says the win was nice and accurate and it is what they talked about before the tournament.

The Fiji 7s coach says it is a blessing to be with the Fiji 7s team in Hong Kong in front of his friends and family.

Baber was also impressed with the work ethic of returning veteran Isake Katonibau.

In the 36-0 win over Japan, Isake Katonibau was outstanding in setting up tries for captain Osea Kolinisau and Jerry Tuwai.

Baber says this was the reason he picked Katonibau to play in the Hong Kong 7s.

Fiji scored six tries against Japan.

Jerry Tuwai crossed over twice while the other tries was scored by Vatemo Ravouvou, Joeli Lutumailagi, Osea Kolinisau and Apisai Domolailai.

Fiji was leading 19-0 at half time.

Fiji will face Wales in their second pool match at 5.12 this afternoon before they play New Zealand in their final pool match at 9.12 tonight.

The quarterfinals will start at 2.58pm tomorrow, the semifinals will start at 7.31pm while the medal final will be held at 11pm tomorrow.

Barring any upsets, Fiji is likely to meet France, Kenya or Canada in the quarterfinal, England or USA in the semifinal, South Africa or New Zealand in the final.

Looking at Day 1 results: Australia beat Samoa 22-19, England thrashed Korea 52-0, Argentina beat Scotland 22-14, USA defeated Russia 14-7, New Zealand defeated Wales 19-7 while Canada beat Kenya 17-14.

Meanwhile, Dan Norton scored his 245th try to become the all time top try scorer on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series when England defeated South Korea 52-0 in their first pool match of the Hong Kong 7s.

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