Tournament organisers have ripped up the rule book for this year’s Fiji Bitter Marist 7s men’s competition, unveiling a bold new format that does away with pre-allocated pools and hands teams control of who they play next. The change, announced by tournament organiser Koli Korovulavula, will see 72 men’s sides enter the draw and contest 36 matches under a random-selection system designed to keep uncertainty and excitement high from the first whistle.
“This is the first time that teams are going to walk into the competition without knowing any pools; we threw away the pools, we discarded the pools,” Korovulavula told media. Rather than being slotted into traditional pool groups, teams will determine how the competition unfolds in real time: opponents will be revealed when teams randomly select from 72 specially designed replica beer cans. Korovulavula said the format allows sides to “decide where they go” so that from the opening game teams influence what comes next.
Organisers emphasise the draw is not pure chaos — Korovulavula said there will still be rules governing winners and losers — but the move is nevertheless a major departure from the pool-stage blueprint that has underpinned sevens tournaments in Fiji and beyond. The 72-team field will be pared into 36 fixtures across the event, with each match’s pairing determined by the draw mechanism rather than a seeded ladder or pre-set schedule.
Korovulavula framed the change as an innovation for both local rugby fans and the wider sevens community. “We think it’s an exciting way to do it. We’re excited to have this new format presented to Fiji and to the world,” he said, signalling organisers hope the experiment will boost spectacle and unpredictability. The use of branded replica beer cans as the physical means to select opponents is a conspicuous attempt to blend marketing with theatre and give each draw a showpiece moment.
The announcement raises immediate questions for coaches and teams used to building game plans around known pool opponents. With the draw determining pairings on the day, tactical preparation will need to emphasise adaptability, rapid scouting and in-game decision-making. For spectators and broadcasters the format promises fresh narratives: marquee match-ups could come early, while underdogs may face a sudden gauntlet. How competition integrity, scheduling and rest periods will be managed under the new system remains to be clarified by organisers.
Marist 7s is one of Fiji’s most prominent domestic sevens competitions, routinely showcasing talent that feeds national and international squads. By scrapping traditional pools, organisers are banking on generating additional buzz around an established event. Teams, fans and pundits will be watching closely when the first cans are opened and the new structure is put to the test on the field.
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