Fiji 7s Rugby: Maintain Standards
“Livai Ikanikoda has domestically done well. He’s in good shape as well and as a player he’s working hard. He played well during our warm-up game.
Wednesday 03 April 2019 | 10:40
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s rookie playmaker Terio Tamani shares a light moment with team-mates before their gym session in Hong Kong on April 2, 2019. Photo: Bruce Southwick/ZoomFiji
It’s no secret that the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team need a reliable playmaker in this weekend’s Hong Kong 7s.
This was after the unavailability of veteran Vatemo Ravouvou, Amenoni Nasilasila and Waisea Nacuqu.
Coach Gareth Baber has placed his faith on rookies Terio Tamani, Napolioni Ratu and Livai Ikanikoda who are all making their Hong Kong 7s debut.
“Terio, Napolioni and Livai have a huge role to play for the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s side during the Hong Kong 7s this weekend,” Baber told SUNsports yesterday.
“Terio has been doing well despite limited experience this season while Napolioni who came in last year is a young man. He had trained hard but lost his way a little bit but great to see him making his way back to the team.”
The Welshman said Tamani and Ratu’s restarts are good and they both understand the game structure.
“Livai Ikanikoda has domestically done well. He’s in good shape as well and as a player he’s working hard. He played well during our warm-up game.
“So, I am basically pleased with all the hard work they had been making for the team and I keep reminding them of maintaining those standards for a longer period of time.”
Baber said they are faced with a massive challenge to be able to deliver come the Hong Kong 7s this weekend. “We have been previously there in other tournaments and we have overcome tough teams so we need to get
our mental preparations on track to defend this title.”
Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
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