AUSTRALIAN Thunderbolts coach Michael O'Connor had a sleepless night as he was busy working out a game plan on how to tackle the New Zealand Emerging 7s side today.
The two visiting sides meet in the second quarter-final of the Uprising Fiji International 7s tournament at Lautoka's Churchill Park.
It will be an exciting clash that pits the Australian national coach with the New Zealand national coach Gordon Tietjens who is the technical adviser of the Emerging side.
O'Connor said he was satisfied with the performance of his side, a team which is the shadow of the national Australian side that plays in the HSBC Sevens World Series.
"It was an adequate performance from my side on day one," O'Connor said.
"As long we have qualified for the next stage, it's good," he said.
The Thunderbolts beat Lautoka Hurricanes 17-14, Samurai Barracudas 19-7 but lost to Samoa in the last pool game 10-28.
O'Conner said facing New Zealand would be a difficult task and they would need to be focused in the match.
"We will have to work more on our ball control and make use of the opportunities we get," he said.
Meanwhile, Tietjens hailed his young brigade for putting up a brave fight in their final pool match to beat the FMF Fiji Warriors.
The New Zealand Emerging 7s won the exciting clash 21-17 to make the top eight.
Tietjens said he expected tougher games today as teams would be all out in the hunt for glory.
"Good to see the young players growing in confidence for the finals tomorrow (today)," Tietjens said.
"The competition is going to be up there and it will be really tough in the quarters."
The New Zealand Emerging versus Aussie Thunderbolts match is scheduled is to start at 12.27pm.
In the other cup quarters, Samoa will take on FMF Fiji Warriors, Digicel Fiji Barbarians will play Ministry of Health Wardens while Tonga will face Yamacia.
In the bowl quarter-finals, Tokatoka Baabas face Lomaiviti, the Lautoka Hurricanes take on Uprising, Samurai Barracudas meet the URF Army and Red Rock takes on Police.
Uprising Fiji International 7s Day 1 Photos