INTERNATIONAL Rugby Board (IR) Sevens Player of the Year Tomasi Cama has hailed the Uprising Fiji International 7s tournament as a perfect build-up for the Wellington 7s.
The All Blacks 7s star told Times Sport the Uprising 7s would help the competing national teams to better their preparation for the third leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
Cama said it would also give players an idea on what they needed to improve on to make their respective national teams for the upcoming IRB 7s tournaments.
Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa, Australia and Tonga are using this year's Uprising 7s to prepare for the Wellington 7s to be held on February 1 and 2.
Cama said the Uprising 7s would gauge the players' ability to play at the international level.
"It's going to be a good build up for all the teams that will play there. It is one of the toughest tournaments and players can test themselves and see where they're in terms of their preparation," he said.
"With all top players playing there (at Uprising 7s) it's only going to be good for those vying for a place in the national team to put their hands up for national selectors and coaches and show they have the goods to perform at the top level."
Meanwhile Cama said the visiting New Zealand Emerging 7s coached by Gordon Tietjens would put in something special to surprise the top local teams.
"I guess the local teams can expect the NZ Emerging team to play some quality and entertaining game using their skills and they will give their best especially with Titch (Tietjens) there as the technical adviser."