Fans support will boost our performance, Tuwai pleads

New Zealand 7s captain Scott Curry believes the Oceania Sevens would be a good chance for his side to fix their combination before the 2017-18 World Sevens Series starts in Dubai on December 1-2.

New Zealand, Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team, Australia and Samoa are the favourites in the men’s division.

In the women’s category, the 2016/2017 series winners New Zealand, 2016 Rio Olympics gold medallist Australia and Fiji Airways Fijiana should make the final of the tournament which starts tomorrow at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.

Curry, Tim Mikkelson and Joe Webber are among the senior players Coach Clark Laidlaw are banking on in the Scotsman’s first year in charge of the New Zealand sevens team.

“We are looking forward to the Oceania Sevens tournament to try out new combinations. We have a mix of new and half of the squad have been taking part in the series.

“We finished in fourth in the 2016/2017 series and we were not happy with that. Now we have a new coach and he has brought in new ideas which is good,” Curry said.

Curry admits New Zealand in previous years go into Dubai underprepared.

New Zealand 7s captain Scott Curry(left) and Tim Mickkelson during training at Albert Park,Suva on November 8, 2017.
Photo: Ronald Kumar

“It is good for us coming to Fiji as we tend to go to Dubai underprepared as a team. That’s because of Mitre 10 Cup and local 15s competition. I think we will have a good tournament here and good preparation for Dubai.

“This is a good chance to play against top teams in the sevens circuit and we also have the two Fijians Joe Ravouvou and Jona Nareki in the team who are excited to play,” he added.

Tuwai calls on support

Fiji Airways 7s captain Seremaia Tuwai calls on members of the public to show their support.

“The boys have been preparing well and I want to ask the local fans to come and support the boys. We need your support to boost our performance,” Tuwai said.

Edited by Osea Bola

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