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Fiji Time: 5:34 PM on Friday 24 May

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Keep the 7s faith

Rashneel Kumar
Thursday, December 06, 2012

DIGICEL Fiji sevens team manager Semi Rogoyawa has assured fans to have faith in the team and the results would come ahead of the Nelson Mandela 7s tournament in South Africa this weekend.

Following the team's shocking exit in the Dubai 7s last weekend, fans have questioned coach Alifereti Dere's tactic of changing players after each leg of the International Rugby Board Sevens World Series.

But Rogoyawa said fans needed to understand the motive behind this move and the benefit Fiji rugby would get in the long run.

"This is all build-up for the bigger events that's coming up. Rugby World Cup 7s next year is one of them," Rogoyawa said.

With Fiji pooled alongside series points leaders New Zealand, England and Scotland in Pool B at the South Africa 7s, Rogoyawa said they were not concerned with the pressure on the team to win this tournament.

While Rogoyawa said the tournament was important to keep Fiji's chances of winning the series on track, they were up against teams coming with similar ambition this weekend.

"It's not easy because all teams at this stage are equally strong and competitive.

"All teams come with the aim to win this tournament, we are one of them," he said.

"We just want to remain focused and take a game at a time. We obviously have some tough battles to overcome in the pool stage.

"All the players are injury free and settled in well here (Port Elizabeth, South Africa)."

Dere earlier told Times Sport he would work on set piece play - the area that led the team down in Dubai.

Fiji will play England in its first pool match at 10.22pm this Saturday before taking on Scotland at 1.28am Sunday and later New Zealand at 5.58am in the last pool match.

Fiji team:

Forwards - Setefano Cakau, Levani Botia, Inia Tukere, Gasaudua Tube, Vilitati Nadianilobo, Peni Maka.

Backs - Ilai Tinai, Sikeli Vuruna, Joji Ragamate, Maleli Bula, John Stewart, Peni Vaciloa.