Time to park the ‘Bus’ and ‘Trailer’, Watch Out For the ‘Beast’

Last weekend all eyes were on ‘The Trailer and The Bus’, and the London Sevens.

This weekend it is about the Paris Sevens that would determine the overall series championship for the 2017/18 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Semi Radradra and Josua Tuisova, who added the zest at Twickenham, are spending some quality family time at home, cometh the ‘Beast’, Semi Kunatani, who played in Hong Kong and the Commonwealth Games could help spring in the surprise.

Kunatani is an amazing player and a talent tank.

But for Fiji, it is not about one player, it is about the players and their work ethics.

After all it’s what got the team five titles in the first place.

The team owes unity to their success, besides, it’s the depth, capable hands, and with the dedicated likes, impossible is nothing.

To conquer Paris along with the overall series, captain Seremaia Tuwai’s men need to pick up the very form they had left off last weekend, tear up the turf at their own game.

Fiji Airways Fijian 7s playmaker Vatemo Ravouvou (left) and Samisoni Viriviri in Paris, France on June 5, 2018. Photo: Waisea Nacuqu

After all, it is the curtain call.

Fiji needs to win the cup-quarters to clinch the series.

Anything less, would have South Africa retain the title and Fiji would’ve to settle for second place finish.

The bullseye though is, the championship, it will give Fiji its fifth successive win.

“Fiji needs to take its best sevens rugby to Paris Sevens and its only Fiji that can beat Fiji”, Karl TeNana, HSBC commentator, said on Goal website.

“The team has a wealth of talent. There’s something about the Fijians and their rugby. I see Fiji winning it all in Paris”.

Rob Vickerman, the HSBC colour commentator and analyst said Fiji was beyond brilliant and above ordinary at Twickenham.

“Fiji got the momentum going. One last rush and they will claim the series. I say Fiji to win the 2017-2018 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series”.

But behind all the cliché is coach Gareth Baber, the master who puts them puzzles into place.

Baber’s key, tactical lace, the element that have his men rise to the occasion at the sound of the first whistle to the last play.

His many shuffles of the ‘deck’ new and games bests, have been tested, he has a pencil sketch of the men who will drape for the country in the Rugby World Cup in San Francisco, USA, in July, but up first Paris and the championship.

All Baber needs to do is motivate the core and at the same time run the importance of discipline by the players who sometimes fail to measure up in the spur of the moment.

On the back of it all, the Welshman brings a piece of history of his own to Paris Sevens, that is he has officially surpassed Ben Ryan and Waisale Serevi’s record.

Ben Ryan won four tournaments in the 2014/2015 World Sevens Series while Waisale Serevi won four tournaments with Fiji in the 2005 and 2006 season.

Under Baber the team is better than they ever been.

The team that gave an army of loud and proud blue-clad fans at London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vancouver and Hamilton and the thousands at home the euphoria needs all your prayers during the Paris Sevens to help clinch the emphatic fifth successive title at the weekend.

“Yes, we can.”

Edited by Osea  Bola

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