Working hard and playing smart is what the Telecom Fijiana 7s team aims to do as they gear up for the Women Sevens Series in Sydney on February 3-4.

Ending last year finishing fifth at the Dubai 7s, Coach Iliesa Tanivula continues to motivate the girls to do better at the Uprising Beach Resort yesterday.

The team will be taking part as the Telecom Mokosoi in the Mana Whey Coral Coast 7s tournament today and Tanivula will use this as part of their build up to the Sydney 7s.

“Dubai is done and dusted but it has also taught us that we need to work extra hard and play smart rugby,” Tanivula said.

“It is a new year and we really need to step up in every aspect of our game because the Sydney 7s will be extremely tough.

“We’ve had a good run and the girls look sharp and are raring to go which is a good sign.

“They trained through Christmas and New Year holidays and I give full credit to them. They know what is expected of them.”

With the return of winger Ebony Satala and the experience of captain Ana Maria-Roqica, the team has been ably assisted by Vodafone Fijian 7s coach Gareth Baber.

“We have Ebony back with us, she flew in on Sunday and she has been good,” he said.

“It is also good to have Ana guiding the girls, the girls look up to her and she knows what the team needs to do in order to put in a good performance.

“We’ve also had some help from Baber, his input has been really huge, he has great ideas.”

Edited by Osea Bola

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