‘We Will Make Use Of All Our Chances’
The Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team are not going to let chances slip by as they arrive today at Cape Town for the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in South Africa from September 9-11.
Speaking to SUNsports from Los Angeles head coach Ben Gollings said the players know the importance of the three-day battle.
“This significant tournament happens every four years just like the Olympic Games and they know the importance of that title,” Gollings said yesterday.
“We last held the Cup in 2005; 17 years later the opportunity has presented itself once again.
“We have learned a lot during the previous leg of the HSBC Seven Series in Los Angeles.
“The tournament and the final itself have laid the platform for this.
“We are going to take one step at a time making sure we are set for what the World Cup has to offer.”
Gollings adds that the team wants to make a strong start in the tournament.
“This tournament has a very different and tricky format so our first game is very important,” he said.
“It is important we get off to a good start and take that through the tournament.
“We had our opportunities in the Los Angeles final, it is important to make use of our chances.
“We are injury free, fit and ready.”
Yesterday Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Sireli Maqala carved his name on Gollings’ 13-member side for the Cape Town, South Africa assignment.
Gollings retained 12 of his 14-member LA sevens team which included double sevens gold medallists Jerry Tuwai, Waisea Nacuqu, Sevuloni Mocenacagi and Josua Vakurinabili.
Mocenacagi and then captain Tuwai were part of the 2018 team to the San Francisco World Cup.
Dropped are Cakaudrove duo Iowane Teba and Manueli Maisamoa.
New Zealand is the holder of the Melrose Cup after defeating England 33–12 in the 2018 final in San Francisco; South Africa won the bronze after defeating Fiji 24–19.
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