Sports News in Brief
7s camp
THE Digicel Fiji sevens side marched into camp yesterday to prepare for the second leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series. Coach Alivereti Dere said they wanted the players to get back into intense training mode for the Dubai and South Africa 7s in a month's time. Except for skipper Levani Botia and speedster Alipate Raitini, who have just arrived from playing a 7s tournament in Australia, other players in the 24-member national squad turned up for the camp.
Tough clash
FLYING Fijians head coach Inoke Male is bracing for a tough challenge from England in the opening northern hemisphere tour next month. Male called Tier One nations, including England "vultures" for poaching Fijian players. "Europe teams have more depth in their country and it's not a good sign for us when they take the cream of players from the Pacific." Fiji plays England at Twickenham Stadium next Sunday at 2.30am.
Bati build-up
THE Fiji National Rugby League is hoping the off-season training will keep the local players in shape to bid for a place in the Fiji Bati team. With the festive season approaching, FNRL development officer Sale Tubuna said the Fiji Residents off-season training was vital to keep the players focused on the task ahead of them. He said while the 2013 Rugby League World Cup was their main goal, they were also building the team for future international fixtures.