YES we can! Those were the words of 7s veteran and Olympic Games gold medallist Jerry Tuwai as the team prepares for the tough mission this year.
He is confident his teammates can defend the gold medal title at the Tokyo Olympic Games in July.
Tuwai, who won the World Rugby 7s Player of the Year, is the only surviving member of the 2016 Rio Olympic gold medal team.
He is the only player that has won three world 7s series titles.
He also created history last year by being the first player to win five consecutive Hong Kong 7s titles.
The Vanua Levu lad believes they have the calibre of players to defend the title in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and at the Olympic Games.
“Off course we can. I believe in my brothers and I believe that anything is possible if we work as a team.
“I stand with them and die with them on the field.
“Wherever we go we go as a team, as brothers and we can accomplish anything together even in the Olympics and the series,” said Tuwai.
Meanwhile, Tuwai won the prestigious sports ward through dedication, sacrifice and recognised achievements he accomplished in the past two years.
“I would also like to take this time to thank my family for everything they’ve done and their support through my ups and downs.
“They’ve always been with me and I want to say a big vinaka vakalevu to them for always supporting me,” he said.
Tuwai is likely to be part of the next 7s tournament to be held in Los Angeles, US, on February 29 to March 1.
The Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team is the defending series champion and 7s defending champions at the Olympic Games.
