THE Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team coach Gareth Baber ensured all former national reps the possibility of donning the Fiji rugby 7s jersey again but they need to meet the standard expected from the selectors.
Baber spoke to The Fiji Times last weekend during the Tabadamu rugby sevens tournament scouting for raw talents capable of representing Fiji to the World Sevens Series.
Baber said the doors to the national sevens team was still open for former reps.
“Well, obviously they got to keep pushing and keep operating at this level in local tournaments, and looking at them with their fitness and shape shows me that they are trying and if they keep this up, obviously I may draft them back into the squad,” said Baber.
Baber will be at the Coral Coast 7s tournament this weekend as he continues his manhunt for the national side.
“The Coral Coast 7s is a week before Hamilton and I want to see all the players perform to the best of their ability, and there is a certain level of fitness expected from a player. And if he has all the qualities I’m looking for in a player, I will test him with the remaining players to see if he blends in well,” he said.
Baber will select his team to the Hamilton and Sydney 7s tournament this week before they jet off to New Zealand next week.
Meanwhile, Fiji is in Pool A with Australia, Wales and Argentina in Hamilton.
Fiji plays its first match against Wales on Saturday, January 26, at 10.52am, Argentina at 2.42pm and the last pool match against Australia 6.52pm.
The Hamilton 7s tournament will be held from January 26-27 in New Zealand where Fiji will be defending the title.