Fijiana 7s, led by coach Saiyasi Fuli, are gearing up for the final tournament in Toulouse next month as they aim to secure automatic qualification for the Paris Olympics next year.
In a tight race with Great Britain and Ireland for the last available spot, Fijiana 7s are determined to finish ahead of their European rivals. Currently, Ireland are in fifth place with 64 points, followed by Fiji in sixth with 62 points, and Great Britain with 60 points.
“We are in a good place to go out and fight for that remaining spot,” said Fuli with optimism. “I know there is a repechage and we have to come back for the Oceania 7s if we don’t qualify, but we are positive, we are training well, the girls are healthy.”
Injured players, including Raijeli Daveua who was sidelined in Hong Kong, have returned to training, and the team recently played a scrimmage session against Dominion Brothers at Bidesi Park in Suva. Additionally, six new players from the local provincial competition, including Nadroga centre Naisua, Mereseini Naidau, and 18-year-old Alfreda Fisher from Bucalevu, have joined the squad for training.
“They are the future of Fijiana 7s, and we have included them in the Youth Commonwealth Squad. For us coaches, we need to plan ahead for the new season as we have some senior players finishing off their careers. So we have to introduce new girls, most of them are 18 and 19-year-olds playing well in the provincial competition,” added Fuli.
The Toulouse 7s is scheduled for May 12-14 with New Zealand, Australia, and the US having already secured their places in the Olympics, along with France as the host nation.
