Fiji 7s Coach Gives Chance For Young Reps To Shine In Samoa
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber is confident of developing a team to win the gold medal at the Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.
With just 10 days away from the Games, the extended 7s training squad marched into camp on Monday for a solid week of intensive training.
Baber told SUNsports yesterday that this is a great opportunity for debutants to prepare and showcase their capability of representing Fiji in future international competitions.
“We’ve a development squad in camp for the Pacific Games. And some of these players have been pushing hard to get positions to play in the HSBC sevens series as well,” he said.
“Also this is a good opportunity for the players to have the challenge of showing how much they’ve developed and getting the starting position.
NEED FOR DEPTH
“And it’s interesting to see how they have matured over the years with new players pushing their way to play for Fiji in the Olympics next year and we’ll definitely need the depth of our squad. So, that’s the sort of theory behind it.
“We’ll name the final 12 players early next week for the Pacific Games and obviously they will be closely monitored over the weekend as to how they have shaped up and we’ll make sure that they are fit and healthy.
BUSY 2018
“And we are very confident of winning gold as we have played against most of the teams already in the Pacific.
“Last year was a very busy year for us as we had the Commonwealth Games, World Cup Sevens and straight into another HSBC Sevens series and this year it’s slightly different.
“And some boys have played internationally as well as some in local tournaments and seeing them making the transition is a clear indication of their capabilities.”
Players who could make the Samoa trip are Asaeli Tuivuaka, Isoa Tabu, Terio Tamani and Rusiate Matai
Meanwhile, remaining members of the national 7s squad are on a break at the moment and will get back to camp for the Oktoberfest tournament to be played in Germany in October
Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
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