There is high expectation and the boys know that.  They are used to that and are working hard. We will rise to the challenge – Gareth Baber.

Team Fiji sevens rugby coach Gareth Baber strongly believes his players are in Gold Coast for one reason.

And that is to deliver a positive result: Winning the first rugby gold for Fiji at the Commonwealth Games.

The Fijian side had their first training session at the Royal Pines Resort ground yesterday and Baber is adamant the team is up for the challenge.

Fiji have not won a gold medal in rugby 7s in the history of the Commonwealth Games.Baber said the boys are aware of the high expectations from home.

“When you play for Fiji and come to participate in the Games, there is high expectation for you and these boys know that they are used to that and are working hard,” Baber said.

With most of the top teams are reserving their  number one team for the Commonwealth Games, Baber said it will not change the fact that they will aim to win the first rugby gold medal for Fiji this Sunday.

“We will not treat this tournament differently from the World Sevens Series. We just get the players where they need to be.  All other teams will have their methodology this week and this is a huge goal for us.

“We just need to control pressure and composure.   In the game against South Africa in the semifinal in Hong Kong, we were behind 5-19 at halftime. We looked at those areas at halftime and came back in the second half and executed it,” Baber said.

The team also remember those who suffered during Tropical Cyclone Josie and TC Keni.

“When disaster like that happens, the whole of Fiji feels it, equally when we win the whole of Fiji talks about it as well.

“They always love their family and communities when we come together as a group we talk about it and it’s always tough for the players,” he said.

Tuwai down sick

Captain Seremaia Tuwai is sick and Baber believes the halfback will recover in time before the games which starts on Saturday.

“Tuwai is sick but we are hoping that he will get better, it’s not serious,”Baber said.

“We are all healthy and looking forward to this weekend.”

Fiji play Sri Lanka in their opening game on Saturday at 1:21pm (Fiji time), Uganda at 7:53pm and Wales at 11:33pm.

The semifinals and finals will be held on Sunday.

Edited by Osea Bola

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