The Team Fiji men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams will be sending more players to the Tokyo Olympic Games, in Japan.

This was confirmed yesterday by Team Fiji chef de mission Patrick Bower.

It is understood logistics have been done to have two men’s and two women’s teams flying over to Japan.

The first men’s and women’s teams are the Olympic Games squad while players in the second teams are on standby.

The move is designed to have players readily available as replacements in case a player from the main teams’ contract COVID-19.

Bower said the teams would be based in Oita, Japan during the Olympics.

“Both the men’s and the women’s rugby teams are taking extra players particularly the men’s team to the pre-game village in Oita,” he said.

“It will be under very strict protocols because Tokyo had put in place a lot of rules that we’ll need to adhere to.

“From our arrival, through to the Games Village and to Oita, movement will be strictly monitored.

“The rugby teams have been training in their bubble and they are doing exceptionally well in keeping in their bubble.

“They have ensured that they remained within their bubble and no one else comes into their bubble. They would scrutinise the person that will be involved with the rugby team before they go.”

Bower said the men’s sevens team are leaving shortly for Australia.

“They’re putting all their thoughts together because once they get into Australia they will be there and join us through transit.

“They will be leaving Australia on July 8 and we will be at Nadi International Airport, ready to depart for Tokyo on the same day.”

Bower said another concern is how many officials would be travelling to the Olympics.

“We can’t give the overall number until the end of this month when the teams are finalised.

“Both the men’s and the women’s rugby teams have 12 players plus an addition that gives them 13 with four officials.”

Bower said the Fiji Rugby Union has not given them the final names of the sevens teams.