Baber: New Format Strange

On the eve of the New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton, Fiji Airways Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber has questioned the change in tournament format.

With New Zealand also hosting an official leg of the Women’s World Series for the first time the men’s competition has been cut back, with the four pool winners now advancing directly to the semi-finals.

The elimination of the quarter final stage, means every pool game is effectively a must win, with Fiji drawn to face Samoa, Argentina and Australia this weekend.

Baber wasn’t sold on the new format.

“It’s a bit strange,” Baber told Radio New Zealand.

“It wouldn’t be what my thought process would be in terms of a tournament for certain.

“I like the tournament format that we’ve played previously and obviously for me the big one was why the question marks about why we do it this year (leading into the Olympics) to change up on that consistency.”

MUST WIN

Baber said it would take some adjustment with teams only playing two games on the opening day of the weekend.

“There’s been a lot of hype around these three games that you play in your pool, which is the same that it’s always been, but obviously every single one of them is a must-win so that creates its own intensity,” he said.

“The blocks of work that you do on a game-day, on a Saturday, you’re only going to get two now...previously you would had three and jump into day two and you get your three games in quick succession.

“I think the issue is going to be more about the recovery following potentially those five games between tournaments because you’re not finishing until late on Sunday night...and you’re in a plane in the morning and travelling over to Sydney so I think there’s a lot of unknowns to be quite honest with you.”

“Does it suit us? Potentially. But I’m sure there’s other teams that are probably thinking the same thing...but it’s all new to all of us.

“It’s been very strange and certainly we fell short in Dubai and only had four games and that felt very strange to us as well.”

The last time World Rugby changed the format was at the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco.

They adopted the ‘knockout only format’, which didn’t go well with most top coaches and players.

NEED TO IMPROVE

The Fiji men’s team has never lost in Hamilton, having won back to back titles since the New Zealand leg of the World Series was shifted north from Wellington.

The reigning World Series champions have made a slow start to their title defence, finishing ninth in Dubai and fourth in Cape Town, including defeats against Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand and France.

Baber said the team had spent the past six weeks reflecting on where they needed to improve.

WHAT’S ON TODAY

Fijian Men- 12.47pm v Samoa; 6.35pm v Australia; Fijiana Women- 9.58am v England; 3.36pm v China.

TEAM LISTS

Fijian Men- Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Josua Vakurunabili, Asaeli Tuivuaka, Kavekini Tabu, Apenisa Cakaubalavu, Meli Derenalagi, Vilimoni Botitu, Waisea Nacuqu, Jerry Tuwai, Livai Ikanikoda, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Napolioni Ratu, *Alasio Naduva.

Fijiana Women- Raijieli Daveua, Vasiti Solikoviti, Mereseini Leivere, Rusila Nagasau, Lavenia Tinai, Tokasa Seniyasi, Aloesi Nakoci, Luisa Tisolo, Viniana Riwai, Roela Radiniyavuna, Asinate Savu, Ana Naimasi, *Ana Maria Roqica

Edited by Osea Bola

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