With the Vodafone Fiji 7's team on their way to the Capital City for the 7's victory celebrations, more than one thousand people have gathered at the Suva Flea Market and surrounding areas to welcome the team.
Fijivillage caught up with some of the people who say they cannot wait to see their National 7s heroes.
People are still lining up along Queens Highway to welcome the 7s heroes.
Earlier this afternoon, people lined up along Queens Highway to catch their 7s heroes who were travelling to Suva.
The Fiji 7s team were caught by surprise when they were passing through Sigatoka earlier this afternoon as the Sigatoka Methodist Primary school students blocked off the street.
The school is also located close to Laselase village, the home of Vodafone Fiji 7s player, Apisai Domolailai.
They were also stopped at Hideaway Resort as Jasa Veremalua and others were waiting to greet the team.
The team also stopped at Nadi town, Semo village and Shngri-La Fiji Resort along the Queens Highway as hundreds of fans were waiting on the roadside to welcome their heroes.
People came out with their banners and flags and took photos with the team.
The extraordinary story of the Vodafone Fiji 7s playmaker, Jerry Tuwai continues to change the lives of his family and his community.
Tuwai’s younger brother Mataiyasi Cokanasiga shared his brother’s life story as they grew up playing rugby together before Tuwai started representing the national sevens side.
Cokanasiga says Tuwai’s achievement has completely changed their family as they can now have access to proper water and electricity supply and they can also pay for his younger siblings education.
Cokanasiga says many people used to have negative views towards the youth of Newtown but things have changed now where people living in the Nasinu area have looked at them differently.
Cokanasiga adds that he is also aiming to join his brother in the national sevens team.
Jerry Tuwai surprised his family this morning when he knocked on their door at 3am.
Tuwai says he is happy to be an Ambassador for his community and Fiji.
Tuwai’s father, Poasa Vunisa says watching his son finally doing what he was always aiming to do and seeing their neighbors shout out his son’s name, brings tears to his eyes.
Vunisa says he never misses Tuwai’s games and always finds a way to watch him play around Fiji even if he has no money.
The 54‑year‑old shared how he slept on the streets in Nadi town to make sure he farewelled his son who was part of the Davetalevu 7s side which won the World Club Sevens in Ireland earlier this year.
Vunisa says on that day he was only supposed to drop Tuwai at the minibus stand in Suva as he did not have enough money to reach Nadi.
Vunisa says Jerry Tuwai knows the reality of their struggle and has been sacrificing a lot of things to help his siblings and parents.
Jerry Tuwai has scored 18 tries in the 2014/2015 World Rugby Sevens Series.
A song has been written and sung for Vodafone Fiji 7s coach, Ben Ryan and now a baby has also been named after him.
Ryan is now a national hero after leading Fiji to win the World Rugby Series Trophy and qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
As we continue with the national celebrations, it has been confirmed that a couple has named their new born baby boy, Ben Ryan after our national 7s coach.
Ben Ryan Tuilau was born at 2:30pm yesterday at the CWM Hospital.
Baby Ben Ryan Tuilau’s family will be also be at the celebrations at Albert Park later today.
Meanwhile Viti FM Breakfast Show character, Babu Marley also sang a special song for Ben Ryan.
Ryan who is still in London tweeted the song late last night due to popular demand from many Fijians around the world.
Babu says he is really excited after Fiji’s win and he is happy that a baby boy is now named after Ben Ryan.
Please come out in numbers in your Fiji colours to support your team’s homecoming.
They are currently in Serua.
Hundreds of people are already lined up from the Suva Flea Market for the march which is now expected to start this hour.
The march is being planned from the Suva Flea Market to Albert Park.
Formalities will then take place at Albert Park with the newly appointed Fiji Rugby Union Chairman, Francis Kean addressing the victorious team and fans.
A special fireworks display will follow to celebrate the win. A team from New Zealand is being brought in to do this.
Celebrations will then continue at Holiday Inn tonight where Acting Prime Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will address the team.
The Vodafone Fiji 7s players will receive $78,000 in bonus payments.
Stay with us as we will bring you the latest updates on the National 7s team victory celebrations today.
You can also check out all the photos and stories on our facebook page, fijivillage.com
With the change in timing of the Fiji 7s team arriving into Suva City, Police have informed the general public that as soon as the National team arrives into the Delainavesi bridge, they will be closing the road to allow for their pass through within Suva City.
Chief of Operations, ACP Tudravu says the closure and procession is expected to be held between 5.30pm to 7pm or depending on the arrival of the team.
The road beginning from the roundabout at Walu Bay bridge will be closed to all motorists right up to the junction of the Suva Bowling Club.
He says they request the patience and understanding of all motorists as they wish to minimize the risks towards those participating in the march within Suva City.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
