Etonia Naba, the former captain of the Fiji 7s team, has delivered an important message to the Fiji Airways men’s 7s squad as they prepare for the upcoming Singapore 7s: adopt an aggressive strategy. With coach Osea Kolinisau at the helm, the team is gearing up for the crucial tournament next week in pursuit of gold.
Naba shared his insights with Times Sport following the men’s cup final at the McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji 7s in Sigatoka last week. He emphasized the necessity for the current team to improve their fitness levels and defensive tactics, especially after observing the Fiji Babas’ performance during the Coral Coast 7s.
As the HSBC SVNS Series progresses with an intensified format that allows the top two teams automatic entry into the semi-finals, Naba’s message carries significant weight. He noted, “They need to be aggressive because with all those teams we’ve seen here and the ones overseas, we really have to go up to them and tackle them. You have to be aggressive or if not they will just walk through.”
Naba’s experience as a coach with the Ravuka Sharks of Yadua Village in Nadroga, a team that has a storied history at the Coral Coast—having defeated the NZ Development 7s team twice—further adds credibility to his call for an urgent shift in mentality for the current squad.
Fiji holds the title of defending champions at the Singapore 7s, following a memorable 21-12 victory against Kenya in last year’s final. With the pressure mounting to defend their championship, the team’s need for a strong, aggressive performance is more crucial than ever as they aim to successfully navigate the challenges in Singapore. Naba’s rallying cry serves as both a strategy and motivation for the squad to step up their game and make their mark on the tournament.