Baber On New 7s Format

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Baber On New 7s Format

Fiji Airways Fijian 7s wing Alosio Naduva in full flight with head coach Gareth Baber (right) on the sideline during a warm-up match at the Utah Valley University on July 7, 2018. Photo: Utah Valley Univerity

July 09

10:00 2018

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👤 by PENI KOMAISAVAI, LAUTOKA

With less games the Rugby World Cup Sevens will be more competitive as ever, says coach

Missing out on the Commonwealth Games gold medal and finishing first in the World Sevens Series has made our Fiji Fijian 7s players more determine as ever.

Head coach Gareth Baber said the players have left behind their past disappointments.

“We are aiming to come out in first place,” he said.

“We have prepared well for it and the trick is getting our players in that relaxed focused environment.”

Baber said this is crucial for the players as they look at taking certain aspects that could hinder their campaign.

NEW FORMAT

“We would like to think Fiji plays well when we are better rested, it is a bit strange given that we only have to play four games during the Rugby World Cup Sevens.”

Baber said the only difference will be that, instead of playing only one final like in any other tournament, this will be like playing in four grand finals.”

The format has been adjusted where 16 recently qualified teams will be battling it out in the qualifying stages, then they will be facing the top eight teams (top eight finishers of the World Series) in the Round of 16.

Fiji is most likely to play the winner between Japan and Uruguay. The winner will progress to the quarterfinals.

“This will be the first time where will be playing only four games in a weekend.

“But we will just need to up our game and make sure to do the things we have been doing right.”

Baber said they would be treating every game like the final, given that only one loss could very well be the end of their Rugby World Cup Sevens contention for the Melrose Cup.

“Fortunately we have a good training base at Utah and the players will be ready.

“We will be looking at how our players will be performing during these training sessions and we will make our assessments and decisions from there,” he added.

Meanwhile, Baber is expected to name his final 12 players by the end of this week.

– Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

Feedback: peni.komaisavai@fijisun.com.fj