Thousands of people have gathered in the city of Wellington as the battle in New Zealand is ready to begin with the Sevens teams lined up as part of the traditional team parade.
Our rugby commentator Akuila Cama is marching with the Digicel Fiji Sevens team and he said the atmosphere in Wellington is electric as about 40,000 people have come out to witness the parade.
We now speak to the players.
All Blacks Sevens team new playmaker who has links to Ba and Rotuma Rocky Khan said he is ready to run out with the black jersey at Westpac Stadium tomorrow.
England coach Ben Ryan said his team is ready and the parade has just motivated his team.
Ryan said they will unleash their plans on the field from tomorrow.
He said they are hungry for a win in NZ.
England speedster Dan Norton said they are ready.
England is pooled with defending champion and IRB Sevens Series points leaders NZ, USA and Spain.
Kenya’s Collins Injera said they are also ready to cause upsets in the Wellington tournament.
Kenya is pooled with France, Argentina and Tonga.
Samoa’s Lolo Lui is making a comeback in this tournament and he said Wellington is like their home ground.
Samoa faces South Africa, Wales and Canada tomorrow.
South African captain Paul Delport said they have a special team and want to win the NZ Sevens title as they last won the tournament in 2002 after beating Samoa in the final.
As the Digicel Fiji Sevens team marches through with hundreds of Fijian fans and flags, coach Timoci Wainiqolo has also announced his run-on team to take on Scotland in their first pool match tomorrow.
The run on team is: Ulaiasi Lawavou, Setefano Cakau, Manueli Laqai, Joji Ragamate, Ilai Tinai, Josua Tuisova and Samisoni Viriviri.
Speaking to Fiji debutant and former Marist Brothers student Benito Eremasi, he said this is the first time for him to see so many people coming out to support a rugby parade.
Looking around, he said this is all new to him.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
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