Jack’s Nadi rugby coach Ilai Derenalagi is the new inclu­sion in the Fijiana Sevens coaching staff.

This was confirmed to SUNsports yesterday by head coach Saiasi Fuli during the team’s first train­ing session, post Commonwealth Games, at the Pacific Theological College ground in Nasese, Suva, yesterday.

“Nadi coach Ilai Derenalagi has joined us, we are short of staff in terms of coaching perspective,” Fuli said.

“We are happy that Ilai has joined us just to help in terms of skill development.

“We will discuss the role that he will look after just for these World Cup preparations.

“He has been doing well with Nadi in winning the 2022 Skipper Fiji Rugby Championship.

“It’s the whole process of en­gaging and empowering our lo­cal coaches into the next phase, which is from the provincial level into the national set-up.”

Fuli said Derenalagi is not new in this environment since he is a former Fijian 7s and Flying Fiji­ans rep.

“He also played professional rug­by in France. We played together in Nabua so he is not new in the sevens environment.

“His inclusion is good for us ahead of our World Cup cam­paign.

“New face, new voice in the Fi­jiana set-up. We hope that we complement each other and help direct, develop and guide the team to this year’s world cup sevens.”

Fuli added that the team has a short turnaround time to prepare.

“This is our first day at camp, this is the World Cup 7s prepara­tions, a quick turnaround after the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“The side arrived on Sunday after two days’ rest the girls re­turned to camp yesterday.

“A very short phase of training is three and a half weeks but we are very content and happy that all the girls are in.

“The side completed their medi­cals and screenings before the first session.

Feedback: simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj