Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s coach Osea Kolinisau says the team is not focused on the pressure of defending their Dubai 7s title, but on meeting the demands of the new tournament format.
Kolinisau says the revised format requires teams to win all three pool matches,—or at least two—to finish in the top two and qualify for the semifinals.
He says the players understand that they cannot afford to slip even in one game, adding that they must be at their best against every opponent.
The coach says that although Fiji are the defending champions, their priority is to ensure they enter the tournament prepared and execute what they have been working on over the past weeks.
He says they need a strong start and must play on the front foot from the opening match.
The Fiji Men’s 7s team will open their Dubai campaign against Argentin at 9.10 tonight, before facing South Africa at 12.16am tomorrow and France at 4.12am tomorrow.
The men’s semifinals begin at 10.06pm tomorrow with the final to be played at 4.11am Monday.
Meanwhile, the Fijiana 7s team will take on the USA at 7.20 tonight, followed by France at 9.59 tonight and New Zealand at 1.27am tomorrow.
The women’s semifinals begin at 9.12pm tomorrow, with the final scheduled for 3.35am Monday.
