Dubai remains one of the toughest venues in the World Sevens Series for the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team.

Whether it’s the heat or the environment, most times we go into the event as one of the favourites but fall short in the end.

Since the inception of the series in 1999, Fiji has only won twice in Dubai – in 2013 and 2015.

Team captain Paula Dranisinukula understands the challenges this weekend as series champions.

“We love what we do, we know it’s tough and it will be tougher than last year. When you are world champions it is very hard to stay at that level, but it’s a good challenge for the boys,” he said.

The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team will enter the Dubai 7s highly motivated and confident after qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games during the Oceania 7s earlier last month.

This is the first time all 64 men’s and women’s games will be played on the main pitch at The Sevens.

The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s play their first game against Australia at 12.12 am tomorrow while the men face Japan at 4.02 am.

Feedback: simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj