SPORTS

Make Right Pick

Waisale Serevi believes Fiji Airways Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber will need to make tough decisions in 2018. The sevens legend said Baber needs to play his cards right
19 Jan 2018 11:00
Make Right Pick
Fans take selfie with DJ Forbes (wearing sunglasses) and 7s maestro Waisale Serevi (far right) at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka on January 18,2018. Photo: Coral Coast 7s

Waisale Serevi believes Fiji Airways Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber will need to make tough decisions in 2018.

The sevens legend said Baber needs to play his cards right in the World Sevens Series which ends in Paris in June, the Commonwealth Games in April and the Rugby Sevens World Cup in July.

Serevi said the onus is on Baber to prioritise which one is more important.

Baber has indicated that he will prepare two teams to play in three tournaments in April. The Hong Kong 7s is on April 6-8, Commonwealth Games on April 13-17 and Singapore 7s on April 28-29.

“We have the players but we need to prioritise,”Serevi said.

‘It’s either we defend our title in Hong Kong or send the best team to the Commonwealth Games.”

Fiji has never won gold since the sport was included in the Commonwealth Games in 1998.

“What’s the priority? We have won the HK 7s many times,”Serevi said.

“But we have not won gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and this is a good opportunity.

“We also need to get our hands back on the Melrose Cup at the RSWC.  I think that’s more important. But it’s all up to Gareth, he makes the decision.”

Serevi said the players can lift their game after the Dubai and Cape Town tournaments.

“Different coaches have different ideas. I believe they have learnt a lot in Dubai and Cape Town. They are doing well but lacks the consistency,” he said.

“They showed they can play well but not all the time. We seem to be struggling to be consistent.

CUT MISTAKES

“In sevens rugby once you make a mistake, you have to defend for two and half minutes and it can prove costly in the end,

“It will make you tired no matter how hard you train. That is why we need the boys to be ready to switch on mentally and physically in order to get into the final and win tournaments.

“Other teams are not skilful as we are, not fast like us but they look after the ball better than us,” Serevi added,

Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback:  waisea.nasokia@fijisun.com.fj



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