Fiji Airways men’s 7s captain Jerry Matana is acutely aware of the heightened expectations surrounding his team as they prepare for the Perth 7s tournament this weekend. Fresh off their title victory in Singapore last week, Matana emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and a grounded approach despite the pressure.
“We understand what the expectations will be, but we plan to treat the Perth tournament like any other we’ve participated in,” Matana stated. He acknowledged that while the recent win has boosted their confidence, it simultaneously brings the weight of additional responsibility as they seek to defend their championship title.
“Winning is one thing, but the pressure of keeping the champions tag is another matter. The boys and I will discuss this, and I’m confident that when game day arrives, we will be ready,” he added.
The Fijian team faces a formidable pool in Perth, competing against Argentina, Spain, and South Africa. The coaching staff has made it clear that consistency and discipline will be crucial in navigating the rigorous schedule ahead.
Fiji will launch their campaign against Argentina at 4:20 PM on Saturday, before taking on Spain at 7:36 PM, and concluding pool play with a late clash against South Africa at 10:52 PM.
In parallel, the Fijiana team is also preparing for a challenging schedule in Perth, beginning their tournament against the USA at 2:30 PM, before taking on New Zealand at 5:58 PM, and Japan at 8:52 PM.
As both teams gear up, the hope is that they will harness their recent successes to inspire confidence and resilience, making for an exciting weekend of rugby in Perth.
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