This weekend is an important one as far as Fiji Rugby is concerned.

This morning, the Fiji Rugby Union board of directors and major union executives will meet during a Special General Meeting at the Fiji Corrections Service Bure, Korovou.

There, they are going to deliberate on the current structure and at the same time endorse reforms with the aim of taking Fiji Rugby to a higher level.

This is a big move especially in this era of professionalism where we have to set our house in order if we are to lift our game.

On the same note, in the field of play, we’ve got important assignments as well. This is where we’ve got to win if we are to move to the next level and be at par with the world’s best.    

SEVENS

In South Africa, the Vodafone Fijians 7s team must go for a win at the Cape Town Sevens, which starts tonight.

This is the second tournament of the 2016/17 HSBC World Sevens Series. The Osea Kolinisau led-side lost 14-26 to South Africa in the final of the Dubai Sevens last Sunday.

They are now placed second in the series standing with 19 points. Interim head coach Nacanieli Cawanibuka said it right this week that they have got “unfinished business” to do.

They cannot allow South Africa to win their tournament and extend their lead on the points table. They’ve got to stay within striking distance.

The Blitzbokke for the past two series have always started strongly but later fade out in the later stage of the series.

FIJIANA XV

Overnight, our Fijiana XV took on Hong Kong in their bid to secure a berth in next year’s World Rugby Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland.

The Seremaia Bai coached- side were declared the Oceania champions after they dumped Papua New Guinea 37-10 at the ANZ Stadium, Suva, last month.

Now they are a step away from creating history, that is, being the first Fijian women’s rugby team to play in the World Cup.

The Fijiana XVs take on Hong Kong and Japan, with the two top teams qualifying.

FIJIAN UNDER-20

At the ANZ Stadium in Suva this afternoon, the Vodafone Fijian Under-20 side take on Tonga in the decider of the 2016 Oceania Rugby Junior Trophy.

There’s no turning back for the Salimoni Ravouvou coached-side as they need to beat the Tongans and qualify for next year’s World U20 Trophy competition in Georgia.

Also, this is an opportunity for the players to repay FRU for having faith in them.

Recently, Rugby House had made a ruling that no overseas based-players would be included in the Telecom Fijian Warriors and also the Fijian U20 team.

The decision was aimed at the development of our local-based players.

This should be a challenge to the youngsters to rise to the occasion and score a convincing win over their traditional Pacific rival.

Feedback:  leonec@fijisun.com.fj