FIJI 7s maestro Waisale Serevi is back after 30 years in his first major international coaching stint as the head of the Russia national men’s team which will compete at the 43rd Fiji Bitter Marist 7s tournament this weekend.
“Thirty years ago in1989 was my first trip to go out of Fiji, to play in England, Scotland and Belgium,” Serevi said.
“Thirty years later now in 2019 I am arriving home with as the head of the Russia national 7s team and I thank God for the opportunity,”
Serevi brings with him a squad of 20 players and 8 officials all looking forward to build up experience and have a taste of Fiji’s number one local 7s tournament and learn firsthand about what Fiji rugby is all about.
“If anywhere in the world, any 7s team wants to learn how to play rugby to get better there’s no other place its Fiji.
“We had been to Dubai in November, Uruguay Chile South Africa and now we are in Fiji the home of rugby 7s.
Russia will be using the Marist 7s tournament over the weekend as platform to gauge themselves heading into the World Cup Qualifers which will happen during the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series top tournament, the Hong Kong 7s.
“It will not be easy. “We are happy to be here and learn from the best the players are really excited and I thank Russia for giving me the opportunity to be the head coach of the Russia 7s team.”
Serevi and the Russia mens 7s team attended a welcome service this morning at Centenary Methodist Church in Suva
