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29 March 2024

Fiji looking for double glory at Dubai Rugby Sevens

Fiji victorious in Dubai in 2013. (Supplied)

Published
By Staff

Fiji coach Ben Ryan is relishing the prospect of securing a double at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens after their tremendous run of success in the past couple of months.

Defending Dubai champions are on a roll having triumphed at both the Oceania Sevens and Round One of the HSBC Sevens World Series at Australia’s Gold Coast last month.

“It was great to win the Oceania 7s and the first leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series on the Gold Coast. And what makes it even better is that we did it with two different teams. It was the most points any winning team has scored in a tournament for eight years, and we conceded less points than we had done at any time last season,” said Ryan who was taking their tag of favourites in his strides.

However, Ryan described those successes as against-the-odds efforts, explaining: “All that was achieved under a cloud of financial issues and a loss of key players. Only one player remained from the side that went to Gold Coast 12 months ago. We have the depth but it’s not bottomless, and it still takes time, resources and effort for a player to come into the squad and get to the level of fitness and discipline required.”

The stand-out performer for Fiji in Dubai last year was Samisoni Viriviri, who was signed by Montpellier in the summer.

Ryan said losing him and a number of other players was potentially crippling, adding: “It’s obviously very hard to replace the first Fijian to be named the World Player of the Year. On top of that, we have lost our regular centre, hooker and prop from last season. Of the side that won in Dubai last year, probably only two players remain. Some have missed out on form, but most have left to go overseas. We have lost more players than any other of the top six by a large margin. Five of our regular six that played nearly all the tournaments last year are unavailable. The team is training hard on the island, taking the fitness-test results to the next level and working hard for each other. It is pleasing.”

The Dubai Rugby Sevens which takes place on December 4-6 will be a key milestone in the path to Olympic qualification, and Ryan emphasised how critical it is to retain his players, saying: “The Olympics have given us a different focus. I want the players to stay on the island, keep a core group together and get better and better. The rewards for them post the Olympics will be overseas contracts, but right now all eyes are on qualification, and beyond that on the team staying together. For me, my focus is simple: Getting Fiji in the top four for automatic qualification is part one and part two is going to Rio and helping the side win a gold medal.”

Legendary coach Sir Gordon Tietjens, whose New Zealand side will be looking to upset the Fiji applecart in Dubai next month, has already said his side, like all others, is drawing up special plans for Fiji.

New Zealand have won 12 of the last 15 HSBC Sevens World Series overall titles, and are also the defending Series champions.

But they feel Fiji will be the greatest threat in their bid to retain the crown, with Tietjens saying “Fiji are the form team at the moment - the number of players they have and that are accessible is quite unparalleled – unbelievable, really.”

“Fiji have been performing brilliantly recently, and their results are even more impressive given the disruptions they have had to their team structure and preparations. They are incredibly entertaining to watch and we look forward to seeing them in action again as they attempt to defend the trophy they won in Dubai last year. Their attendance is sure to provide some of the highlights of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens this year,” said Gary Chapman, President Group Services and dnata, Emirates Group.