The build-up to the Commonwealth 7s in the Gold Coast in April 2018 and Rugby World Cup 7s in San Francisco in July next year begins right here at the home of the Olympic champions tomorrow when the Oceania 7s kicks off at the ANZ Stadium.
It is a perfect start for the Fiji Airways National 7s men’s team to play in front of the home crowd with quality opposition like 7s Rugby World Cup champions, New Zealand, the hard-hitting Australian side and the unpredictable Samoan team.
Fiji coach Gareth Baber says their aim is to win the Oceania 7s this weekend.
With New Zealand and Samoa bringing in their best players, Baber believes this a good time for them to show what they can do in big tournaments despite their three in a row losses to Australia in the past three tournaments.
Mesulame Kunavula, Sevuloni Moceinacagi and Banuve Tabakaucoro have been rested for this weekend with injuries.
Baber is confident this side will do a great job for them.
Some of the experienced players who will be playing this weekend include Jerry Tuwai, Vatemo Ravouvou, Apisai Domolailai, Kalione Nasoko, Josua Vakurinabili, Waisea Nacuqu, Samu Bale and Paula Dranisinukula.
Fiji's first game will be against New Caledonia at 4.40pm tomorrow while their second game is against American Samoa at 7.40pm.
The Cup quarters start at 11am Saturday, the semis start at 3pm while the Cup final is at 6.46pm Saturday.
You can catch the live commentaries of the Cup quarters, semis and final on our sister station, Viti FM on 92.2FM, 92FM and 92.6FM on Saturday.
The Fiji Airways Fijiana will play their first game against Samoa at 11.40am tomorrow.
Meanwhile, All Blacks 7's veteran Tim Mikkelson says they need to put on their A game to win the Oceania 7's this weekend.
Mikkelson made his debut for New Zealand in 2008 and crossed the try line more times than any other New Zealand sevens player with 174 tries to his credit.
He says it will be just awesome to play in front of passionate Fijian rugby fans.
The All Blacks 7's side visited the Gospel School of the Deaf this afternoon and performed a haka for the students.
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And Samoan 7s coach and former All Blacks 7s coach, Sir Gordon Tietjens has backed Fiji’s bid to host a World Sevens Series leg in 2020.
Tietjens who arrived in Fiji last night will be fielding in a strong Samoan team at the Oceania 7s tomorrow.
Meanwhile, member of the victorious Samoa side that won the series back in 2009 and 2010, Fautua Otto, is back in the team.
He will be joined by Tulolo Tulolo, Alatasi Tupou, Tom Iosefo and Tila Mealoi.
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