THE Digicel Fiji sevens coaches Alivereti Dere and Timoci Wainiqolo are working hard on getting the players back into the 7s mode.
With players in the 24-member national squad coming out from playing 15s rugby, assistant coach Wainiqolo said they needed to adapt to the abbreviated code ahead of the Gold Coast 7s tournament from October 13 to 14.
To aid them in this process, the side had a scrimmaging session with the champion local 7s team, Wardens at Bidesi Park in Laucala yesterday.
Wainiqolo said they would need some more hit-outs in the remaining days in order to get the formation flowing in the team.
"These players have been playing 15s throughout the season and we need to get them into the 7s mode as soon as possible because we don't have enough time on hand," the former national rep said.
"The best way is to have scrimmaging sessions and we are happy to have Wardens coming on board to play warm up matches with us.
"The team did well (yesterday) and we are happy with the progress made by the players in the squad."
Wainiqolo also called on the support of the nation, adding they needed that to boost the morale as the team geared up to defend the title in the opening leg of the 2012/13 International Rugby Board Sevens World Series.
He said they had capable players in the squad with the ability to perform better than the previous series.
Meanwhile, Dere and Wainiqolo have named the reduced 16-member squad for the Gold Coast 7s. Wainiqolo said the list was with the Fiji Rugby Union for the chief executive Manasa Baravilala's approval before it could be released to the public, probably later today.