Aussie Select 7s debutant Garlen Peace is excited to be back in Fiji for the 14th edition of the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s, where he hopes to deepen his bond with his Fijian family. With Aboriginal and Fijian heritage, Peace feels a strong connection to Votua Village on the Coral Coast, where his father is from.
The Australian development team arrived in Fiji, adding personal significance to the tournament for Peace. He expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “My mum is Aboriginal and I’m very close to my Aboriginal family back in Australia, and this trip is a great opportunity for me to strengthen my connection with my Fijian family.” For him, playing in front of his Fijian relatives will be a dream fulfilled.
The Aussie Select 7s, under coaches Shannon Fraser and Matthew Sonter, quickly settled in, holding their inaugural training session at Cuvu College. After achieving a quarter-final finish during their debut last year, the Australian side is eager to build on that success, supported by the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program.
The team has been placed in Pool D of the men’s division, one of six pools this year, as they prepare for tough competition against some of the best teams from Fiji. Peace emphasized his commitment to learning from the experience to enhance his performance in Brisbane for the upcoming season.
Assistant coach Matthew Sonter highlighted the importance of the tournament as a valuable test for several debutants in the squad. “It was great to get the boys out on the field for our first training session here in Fiji. We’ve got plenty of talent in the team, and with a number of debutants, this tournament is the perfect opportunity for our boys to test themselves against the best in Fiji,” he stated.
Daniel Millis, Rugby Australia’s Head of Pacific Partnerships, remarked on the broader significance of the Coral Coast 7s. He noted, “This is about more than just the rugby. Sport has always been one of the strongest bridges between Australia and Fiji. Through programs like PacificAus Sports and opportunities such as the Coral Coast 7s, we’re not only developing athletes but building lasting relationships grounded in respect, culture, and shared values.”
With local support growing and preparations in full swing, the Aussie Select 7s is set to make a memorable entrance into the Coral Coast 7s when they begin their campaign on Thursday afternoon in Sigatoka. The tournament kicks off at 9 am tomorrow at Lawaqa Park, and fans can catch the live action on FBC Sports.