Editorial: Signs Are Good For Inexperienced Fiji 7s Side
We’re on track to defend the 7s men’s rugby gold medal for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
After the final teams for the Sydney 7s were announced last Friday, the World Rugby statistics on all participating teams showed encouraging signs that we’re on the right path as we build towards the future.
For the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team, the total number of tournaments (events) played by our current 13 players amounted to 180.
When compared with other participating teams this indicated that we’re one of the less experienced sides of the Series. In actual fact we’re ranked 11th out of the 16 teams when it comes to experience.
Series leaders South Africa are the most experienced team because their 13 players have played a total of 400 tournaments. They are followed by USA, England and Argentina. See the table below;
With these young guns, Fiji managed to hoist the Cape Town and Hamilton tournaments and is now leading the 2018/19 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series table on a points differential.
This is indeed a positive sign, but we should also bear in mind that having high expectations of our players could actually take its toll.
To win in Hamilton for the second year in a row is a big ask, but whatever outcome the Kalione Nasoko-led side are able to achieve in Sydney today should be accepted in the spirit of good sportsmanship.
But what we should not forget is our support and prayers for the team as they work towards reaching their full potential, by the 2020 Olympics.
Feedback:leonec@fijisun.com.fj
