The Telecom Fijiana rugby sevens team will take a seven-day break before resuming training for the Coral Coast 7s at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka on January 18-21.

The team returned yesterday after finishing fifth on the Women Sevens Series first leg in Dubai last week.

Coach Iliesa Tanivula was pleased with the team’s performance.

“I’m really proud of the way the girls played,”Tanivula said.

“We were disappointed to lose out in the Cup quarterfinals but its life and I know we had put a lot of energy into it to improve on our ranking and I’m really proud of the girls.”

“We’ve just got to work hard and work smart. We’ve got to learn from our mistakes.”

He added the Oceania 7s was one of the core events the girls needed to improve in and they did.

“We did improve but we still can get better, the girls know that which is good,” Tanivula said.

However, he added it was an achievement for the women to travel to Dubai and compete against other countries since there is no competition at home.

“The reality is we don’t have a competition at home and for them to compete on world stage and do that, is an achievement in itself,” he added.

Tanivula added the team is fortunate to be invited to play at the upcoming Coral Coast 7s.

“We are lucky to have the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s,  Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s and  Coral Coast 7s inviting the women to play,” he said.

Meanwhile, team captain Ana Maria Roqica said she was content with the team’s performance.

“I am very happy with our performance in Dubai,” she said.

“I’ve never seen the girls play like that in the last two years but in Dubai I could see a lot of teamwork and team spirit is there.”

“We got to have a lot of game time and the extended squad will have their chances to prove their worth to be selected for the Sydney 7s in February.”

She added the team is aiming for fourth place in Sydney.

The team will train at the Sigatoka sand dunes during the festive season before meeting again for their last two camps at the end of January.

Tanivula acknowledged the support from the fans and families towards the team.

Edited by Osea Bola

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