The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team is poised to showcase their enhanced skills this weekend at the Vancouver 7s, with head coach Richard Walker expressing optimism about their performance. The coaching staff has focused their preparations on key areas including discipline, sharper restarts, and improved team cohesion, addressing lessons learned from recent competitions in Singapore and Perth.
Walker emphasized that rather than completely changing their strategy, the team has identified four crucial aspects to refine. One-on-one tackling and dynamics around the ruck have emerged as priorities, especially after facing a high number of penalties in their last outings.
The Fijiana team is also revisiting their kick-off strategies, which had been a significant strength in their early-season performances in Dubai and Cape Town but were less effective in the most recent tournaments. Consistency in their attacking play remains a focal point, and Walker is optimistic that their rigorous training will yield positive results in Vancouver.
The season began on a strong note for the Fijiana with a commendable fourth-place finish in Dubai; however, their subsequent sixth and seventh-place finishes highlighted a need for adjustments. Walker explained the complexities of participating in back-to-back tournaments, especially with the integration of five new players, including several debutants, who required time to adjust to the intense pace of the World Series.
As they prepare for Vancouver, Walker believes that the retention of a core group from the Perth leg will bolster the team’s performance. With all players familiar with each other, the expectation is that this familiarity will facilitate the execution of their game plan.
The Fijiana is eager to translate their hard work and preparation into successful outcomes. Their campaign in Vancouver kicks off tomorrow against Australia at 9:31 AM, followed by matches against the USA at 12:57 PM and the host team Canada at 4:46 PM. Fans can tune in to watch live coverage of Fiji’s games on FBC TV, eager to rally behind the team as they aim to reaffirm their competitive edge. This weekend presents a significant opportunity for the Fijiana 7s to turn their lessons learned into action and demonstrate their growth on the international stage.