A SHADOW Fiji sevens team will compete in the Marist 7s tournament this year.
This was confirmed yesterday by Marist Rugby Club president Lawrence Tikaram who said the shadow national side would have the chance to perfect its combination against the best local sevens clubs
The 37th Fiji Bitter Marist 7s tournament will kick off at the new ANZ Stadium on May 31.
Former Fiji 7s assistant coach Eddie Waqa will bring his Tongan team and Papua New Guinea's participation is to be confirmed.
Tikaram said the tournament was rescheduled to May for everyone's benefit.
"We usually have the tournament in March but because this is a world cup year, we want our national team to have a good build up. FRU has already confirmed that it will bring a Fiji team," he said.
Tikaram said the ultimate goal was the development of rugby at the grassroots level.
"At this year's event, clubs will have a chance to play at an international standard turf. Like we usually say our aim is to develop grassroots rugby and this is one way of doing it," he said. Only the first 64 men's teams will be accommodated at the tournament which is scheduled for May 31 to June 1.