British Army ready for debut

The British Army 7s team is anticipating their debut at the McDonald’s Coral Coast 7s tournament which kicks off today. 

The team had a scrimmage session against the Fiji men’s sevens side at Albert Park, Suva on Tuesday to test out their men. 

British Army 7s director Lieutenant Colonel Jon Lord said their head coach and former Scotland 7s player Joe Naivalu arranged for their warm-up session against the national side. 

“It’s an incredible honour to scrimmage with the Fiji 7s team,” he said.

“We want to showcase and display the British army rugby unique style of sevens.”

Lord said their team embodied a disciplined and professionalism style with structured rugby.

“We got a strong heritage and culture of Fijians within the forces that’s going to bring some natural flair and we hope to light the field on fire,” he said.

“It’s been incredible; everyone been so welcoming of the team.”

Lord added that some of their players have returned home and reunited with their families after a few years away from home.

“They been busy serving their soldier day job in the United Kingdom so to bring them to Fiji is an incredible opportunity,” he said.

“We’ve been visiting some of the local villages in Sigatoka and did some work with one of the charities Kids Fiji.”

Lord indicated that the team is focused on achieving the target they’ve set for the Coral coast 7s tournament.

“We were lucky to give them opportunity to go and see their families and the message to them is to stay humble,” he said.

“We’re going to come up against some incredible oppositions.” 

They will face the Fijian Drua 7s in their first match. 

Lord described the Drua 7s side as an excellent team and is hoping that his players will rise to the challenge.

“We are hopeful to give them a good run for their money,” he said.

“I think everyone will agree Fiji’s is the spiritual home of sevens and this is where you come to test yourself against the best in the world.”

Lord said he wants his players to enjoy the experience, remain humble and bring that experience back to the UK.

“We want to inspire the next generation of Fijian soldiers and UK soldiers to play the game of sevens,” he said.

“Hopefully in the future, we have an opportunity to come back again.”

The British Army 7s team is calling for its supporters including the ex-service men and women to support the team on Sigatoka this weekend.

“If you want to get behind everyone’s second favorite team make that the British Army Sevens, come down to Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka and cheer us on,” Lord added.