As the HSBC Madrid 7s kick off this weekend, expectations for the Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side are high after coach Osea Kolinisau named a mixture of experienced and new players for the tournament this weekend.
With the return of former captain and 2-time Olympic gold medallist, Jerry Tuwai into the squad, it will be more interesting now to see how the team goes especially with the inclusion of the experienced Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Waisea Nacuqu and Terio Tamani.
Kolinisau has also made some interesting selections with the inclusion of Tira Welagi, who has been named for the first time for Fiji in the 2023/2024 HSBC SVNS World Series and also young Suva utility back Sakiusa Siqila, who is expected to make his debut this weekend along with Ilikimi Torosi.
The Fiji Men are in a pool of death and are in Pool B alongside Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa. In Pool A, Series winners Argentina is pooled alongside Australia, France and Great Britain. There will only be 8 teams competing in the main competition while 8 teams will be competing in the pool qualifiers.
Fiji 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.
