TONY Edwards may be Australian but during this time of the year, he is Fijian all over.
The semi-retired marketing man is the Fiji team liaison officer — and he has been looking after our gladiators in 7s and the full code since 2003.
His job is to see that the team is well looked after — from their laundry to transportation — anything the team manager needs.
In fact, he is the go-to man for our players in Australia.
"I first got involved with Fiji rugby at the 2003 Rugby World where I was invited to be the liaison," the New South Wales man said..
"I have traveled to Fiji with Australian teams before that and since then when Fiji comes over for sevens or fifteens, they appoint me to look after them."
A former rugby player himself, Edwards says he has enjoyed every moment of his time with the Fijians. "I just love my time with the Fiji teams. The hardest thing for was to get used to the Fiji time. I remember when I traveled to Fiji, the teams would be left behind because they were caught on Fiji time," he said
"I just love the culture and everything about it. When I'm with the team, my soul is with the players. As long as the team doesn't have anything to worry about, that's my main goal.
"The Fijian players are always happy. I say to everybody is that when you get on a bus with an Australian team it's all heavy medal music. But with the Fijian boys, they just start singing and it's just beautiful.
"Whenever the Fiji team is here, I'm gonna be there. I get them all the time and I look forward to being with them."
Edwards was quick to respond on what he thought of our sevens team to defend the Gold Coast 7s.
"Last year's team won and looking at this team, they look sharp. Three quarters of the players are new and that's a good thing — they're unknown.
"We have the experienced players in there to keep them grounded and steady.
"This is an exciting team and watching them run, they're very sharp."
So, which side of the fence will Edwards be come tomorrow.
"That's a ridiculous question," he jokingly said.
"I'm with Fiji. When I'm with the team, they have my body and soul."