There will be a change in format for this year’s Fiji Bitter Sapphire Marist 7s tournament that kicks-off on March 25-27 in Suva.

This was confirmed yesterday by the Marist 7s tournament director Koli  Korovulavula during the official launch at the Paradise Beverages boardroom at Walu Bay, Suva.

Korovulavula said, a few years ago they introduced rankings to make the competition more exciting to the fans and interesting for the teams.

“Especially in training the managers and trainers of the teams consider things like rankings which was something we had introduced a few years ago,” he said.

“This year we promised the teams, fans and sponsors that it’s going to be more exciting. This is because we are introducing new things but at the moment we would like to keep it under wraps.”

Korovulavula said they fully supported this weekend’s Fiji Rugby Union sanctioned Super 7s Series at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka.

“We’re behind the series as we want to make sure that our national coach gets what he wants to keep our 7s team where it should be.

“We don’t want to do anything that will affect the tournament and the teams that are participating.

“For us we want to make it exciting for them but most importantly for those at grassroots level. Every team come and teach each other what our parent body is doing.”

Korovulavula confirmed that they were going to accomodate  48 men’s teams, eight women’s teams and 16 Under-21 teams.

The tournament’s prize money is yet to be announced.

Feedback:  simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj