Learn and Move On

Inexperience was the downfall of the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team when they bowed out of the Cup quarterfinal of the USA 7s in Las Vegas yesterday.

The Gareth Baber-coached side again were the 11th most inexpe­rienced team playing at the Sam Boyd Stadium.

With playmaker Waisea Nacuqu ruled out with a fractured collar­bone during the early stages of the Pool D clash to Australia, the only experienced player was halfback Jerry Tuwai who had played in 42 tournaments in the World Sevens Series.

Moving up next to him was Sevu­loni Mocenacagi with 25 while cap­tain, Kalione Nasoko had 24 and the rest of the players were well below them.

With the pressure on, the lack of experience saw the players taking wrong options and played individ­ually.

Fiji Airways Fijian 7s forward Mesulame Kunavula takes on the New Zealand defence where he lost the ball in the turnover and ended our Cup campaign at the USA 7s in Las Vegas on March 2, 2019. Photo: Ian Muir

One example, was during the fi­nal minute of the Cup quarterfinal against New Zealand, when for­ward Mesulame Kunavula decided to take on the opposition, where he lost the ball in the turnover and ended Fiji’s campaign.

If he had passed the ball out wide, it could have changed the tide and we would have been playing USA in the Cup semi-final.

But nevertheless, this is the only best way for our young players to learn from, work on their mistakes and move on to the next tourna­ment. For now, they must target a fifth placing in Las Vegas to keep them in touch with USA and New Zealand.

A top four finish is what they should try to achieve at the end of the Series for an automatic qualifi­cation to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

So let‘s not forget them in our prayers and wish them well today and for next weekend’s Canada 7s in Vancouver.

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj