Bainimarama to present Fiji 7s team with their match jerseys ahead of Rugby World Cup 7s

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will be presenting the Fiji 7s team with their jerseys ahead of the Rugby World Cup Sevens this weekend.

Bainimarama left the country yesterday for San Francisco to support the team in their efforts to win the title.

Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s coach Gareth Baber says that the team needs all kinds of support, especially with being far away from home.

The team held their last training session today.

Baber will decide on his starting lineup for the first Rugby World Cup 7s knockout game against the winner of the Japan vs Uruguay match tomorrow.

With the do or die match format, Baber is focusing on pace and continuity.

Speaking to Fijivillage from San Francisco, Baber says they will make sure that they do not allow the opposition to settle.

Fijians around the country and in different parts of the world are encouraged to fly the Fiji flag as we get ready for the World Cup 7s.

Fiji last won the Melrose Cup in 2005, and 13 years later, fans believe that Gareth Baber has the right mix of players to deliver the win and bring the World Cup home.

With all the teams stepping up with more 7s tournaments, and the first ever knockout competition, a slow pick up in pace will definitely not work for any team.

Baber says he knows this and they have really focused on the issue in their training sessions.

The team spent nine days training at high altitude in Utah, hoping the extra endurance training will give them an edge.

Baber says the extra training had other perks too.

He says they obviously trained at altitude but it gave them an opportunity to get the boys in a quiet space and get a bit of focus.

Our warriors going into the tournament hoping to bring the World Cup home are captain Jerry Tuwai, Semi Radradra, Josua Tuisova, Leone Nakarawa, Alasio Naduva, Amenoni Nasilasila, Jasa Veremalua, Kalione Nasoko, Paula Dranisinikula, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Semi Kunatani and Vatemo Ravouvou.

Fiji will play their first knockout game at 3.53pm tomorrow against the winner of the Japan and Uruguay match.

Barring any upsets, they will either meet Argentina or Canada in the Cup quarterfinals.

The Cup quarters start at 10.32am Sunday.

Fiji will either meet Australia or New Zealand in the Cup semifinals.

The Cup semis start at 7.40am Monday and Fiji will either meet South Africa, England or USA in the Final at 12.49pm Monday.