Fiji 7s: Baber Delays Naming Final 13
"The Welshman has been impressed with the accuracy and physicality of the players are showing at training as they compete for a seat on the plane to the USA later this week."
Thursday 21 February 2019 | 09:00
The Fiji Airways Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber has moved the naming of his final 13-member squad to this morning.
This was confirmed by SUNsports yesterday as the side had another two training sessions where Baber had to take another look at the players.
The Welshman has been impressed with the accuracy and physicality of the players are showing at training as they compete for a seat on the plane to the USA later this week.
Baber believes consistency on the training pitch here in the country is crucial to on field success next week.
“We’re trying to get to that level of consistency at a high pace game that we’ve shown we can play.
“I’m excited about the speed of movement that I’m witnessing when we’re at top of our fitness level, and the intensity we’ve been showing at training” he told FRU Media.
Baber was pleased with the players that joined the team last week which gives him more options “as I know depth in selection can give me more strength and ability to pressurise opponents.”
The coach is focused on the levels of consistency and continuity with the squad as well as making sure they’re competitive as they possibly can.
“Our competitive sessions where we have played against each other have been pleasing, to see boys finding quality space on the field and how quickly they can get to that space and score tries.”
“Not every session is the coach’s dream perfect session, but if we were at a peak all the time we wouldn’t be identifying what we have to work on.”
Baber explained that they are looking at improving areas such as re-start accuracy and winning possession.
“We need to fine tune accuracy in the kick off itself, retaining the ball and how we react if it doesn’t go our way. We’re progressing week by week and that’s the nature of the job we do.”
He added that they also look closely at different opponents and possible threats which they can create opportunities in the pool matches, and focus in on them.
The team will leave for Las Vegas tomorrow and will prepare from Sunday in before day one commences on Friday, March 1.
Edited by Grace Narayan
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