Our target to be in the top 8 in Sydney 7s  and finish sixth overall after the 2018/2019  Women Sevens Series-Saiasi Fuli

Newly appointed Fiji Airways Fijiana head coach Saiasi Fuli has set his focus on improving the team’s current standing from 11th to eighth.

And the former national halfback wants to hit the road running at the Women Sevens Series in Sydney 7s on February 1-3.

He strongly feels he would be able to achieve his target through the help of assistant coach and former Fiji Airways Fijian 7s forward Isake ‘Ice’ Katonibau and newly appointed strength and conditioning coach Eroni Sotutu.

“It’s a challenge and a good opportunity for me to continue some of the changes that Rugby House is trying to put in place and that is to guide the national team into a positive direction,”Fuli said.

“We have been provided a challenge to lift Fijiana from 11th position to eighth.

“It’s always good for coaches and management to come in and try to find the way forward for players through proper training.

“We need to send all the national teams across to be competitive and try to win games and that is the whole objectives,” Fuli said.

The newly  appointed management aims to change game structures and team culture despite limited preparations time.

“We are changing the whole structure of the game, patterns, switching players’ positions and try to create a right combination going into Sydney.

“We just have three and half weeks, it’s a challenge for us but it’s good we have a good management team with Sotutu from New Zealand and Katonibau as assistant coach,” he added.

Former Fijiana returns

Familiar faces like former Fijiana captain Ana Maria Roqica, Lavenia Tinai and Rusila Nagasau make their return into the squad after missing out in the first two legs in Colorado and Dubai.

“Yes, we made changes in the squad, we had a trial before Christmas so seven players from former coach Iliesa Tanivula are back and there are 18 players in the squad that are currently training.

“We just need to work hard and provide good conditioning block for them to try to be competitive when they go to Sydney. There is a good balance of players and we are providing the challenge to every individual to be competitive in every position and that is the only way forward.

“We want to reach Cup quarterfinal in Sydney and our other objective is to maintain our position in the series and try to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. That’s the big challenge and I’m ready to take the task and work with the girls, create the right relationship and helping them to express themselves to be good ambassadors for Fiji on and off the field.

“This is an opportunity for me to provide the right coaching and try to keep things simple for the girls and make sure we are on the right track.

“Our target to be in top 8  at the Sydney 7s  and finish sixth overall after the 2018/2019  Women Sevens Series.”

Edited by Osea Bola

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