The Ana Maria Roqica-captained Telecom Fijiana 7s side is serious about being part of World Rugby’s World Rugby’s Women’s World Cup Rugby Sevens in San Francisco, USA next year.

The 13-member team, which has stepped up its fitness level, was confident of giving a good outing at the Japan leg in Kitakyushu from April 22-23. The team departed for Japan yesterday.

Team manager Serupepepli Nabukara said they needed to finish in the top four of the World Rugby Women Sevens Series to land them a direct qualification ticket.

“We have one week camp in Oita, that will prepare the girls well leading up to the Japan 7s leg,” he said.

“We have a plan in place to remain in the fourth spot, as we target the World Cup next year. We have been prepared well in the five weeks of training.

“This is an invitation and we will use this time very well to suit our strength as it is an important stop in the series.”

The Fijiana team will play Ireland, Brazil and Australia. They remain the top seeded team in their pool game.

“We are in the same pool with Australia and we will try to beat them in the pool games,” Nabukara said.

Also returning to the fold is first five-eighth, Viniana Raiwai, who missed out in the Las Vegas 7s as a result of an injury sustained to her knee.

The Saqani, Cakaudrove native was injured in the Sydney 7s, but has fully recovered.

“I was unlucky to sustain injuries, but held my fingers crossed to join the team in coming months and this has paid off in full,” she said.

She made her debut in the 2013 RWC in Russia and developed her game while she was a member of Marist Seahawks RC in Suva.

The Telecom Fijiana side is placed fourth with 36 points, behind leaders NZ (56), Australia (50) and Canada (46).

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

Feedback:  waisean@fijisun.com.fj