THE Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team has the experience and the skills in their armoury to help them accomplish their mission during the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, USA next week.
Timoci Waniqolo represented Fiji in 15s and 7s rugby and also coached Fiji in 2012 and 2013.
He also coached the Fijiana side in the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens women’s competition in Moscow, Russia. The side won bowl.
He said the players should take out the mentality that they are the champion side and remain focused only on rugby for the duration of the tournament.
“We have got the full package in the team which will play in the Rugby World Cup Sevens. The team consists of good ball hunters, speedsters in the back line and in the forwards, good tacklers and their off-load skills is the best,” Waniqolo said.
“The players need to stay focused on the task in the remaining two weeks, before and during the competition which would be vital in the outcome of the result they want.
“The team has everything with Leone Nakarawa, Semi Kunatani, Jerry Tuwai, Josua Tuisova, Eroni Sau, Waisea Nacuqu and Semi Radradra. Every player in the team has something unique to offer to win.”
The Gareth Baber-coached side is now training in Utah prior to the tournament and Wainiqolo said the narrow pitch in San Francisco would not have a negative impact for the Fijians.
“The field should not be a problem for the players as they know how to play in a narrow pitch. I want the players to be focused on their rugby and the world cup, as they have gone there on a mission and not just for the sake of going,” he said.
“This world cup might not come again in the lives of the chosen players who have been entrusted with the responsibility of playing for their nation. They should play the top 14-minutes of their rugby life as they may not be able to play again in another world cup.”
