As the annual Oceania Rugby Sevens Championship draws near, the top Pacific Island nations Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa, are looking forward for some game time after a long break from the HSBC SVNS Series and World Rugby Challenger Series.
The three-day tournament starting this Friday will feature 25 teams, 15 men’s and 10 women’s teams, from 14 countries in the region.
Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s Coach Saiasi Fuli says they will use this competition as a platform to gain some game time while keeping an eye on the prize.
He says it's a massive opportunity for them as a team to prepare well and play in this tournament and the girls are looking forward to playing this weekend and trying to secure a spot for the Paris Olympics next year.
Fuli says they missed out on the series until the final day in Toulouse, and they have set their goal to rest well, recover, and prepare for the qualification.
Tonga in particular will be seizing the opportunity to create history and qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics for the first time for their island nation.
Tonga Men’s Sevens Coach Tevita Tuifua says securing a direct Olympics qualification spot would mean more than just a sporting achievement.
He says it represents not only a chance to showcase their talent on the global stage but also a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players, support staff, Tonga Rugby Union, and government and would be a source of inspiration for the entire nation.
The Oceania 7s will be held from Friday to Sunday at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane.
