The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team is looking to improve its performance at the upcoming Vancouver 7s by focusing on enhanced discipline, better restarts, and a more stable squad. Head coach Richard Walker has identified key areas for improvement after reflecting on lessons learned from recent tournaments in Singapore and Perth.
Walker highlighted that the team’s coaching staff chose to concentrate on a limited number of strategic changes rather than striving for a complete overhaul. He mentioned, “After Singapore and Perth we had a few work-ons, but working with the coaching staff we can’t fix everything, so we focused on four main areas in our preparation.” Key priorities include refining one-on-one tackling techniques and tightening operations around the ruck to address the issue of conceding too many penalties.
Additionally, the Fijiana plans to enhance their kick-off strategy, a strength observed earlier in the season during the Dubai and Cape Town tournaments but which appeared to falter in recent outings. Improving consistency in attack has also been emphasized, with the coaching staff expressing confidence that their training efforts will translate into better performance this weekend.
After a promising start to the season, where they achieved a fourth-place finish in Dubai, the Fijiana has struggled to maintain momentum, finishing sixth in Singapore and seventh in Perth. Walker noted that navigating the demands of back-to-back tournaments early in the season posed a challenge, especially with the introduction of five new players, including several debutants who needed to acclimate to the high intensity of the World Series.
As they prepare for the Vancouver 7s, the coach is optimistic that the retention of the core group that played in Perth, coupled with the absence of debutants in the lineup, will foster greater familiarity among the players. This camaraderie is expected to enhance their ability to execute the game plan effectively.
The Fijiana will kick off their campaign against Australia at 9:31 AM, followed by matches against the USA at 12:57 PM and the host nation Canada at 4:46 PM. Fans can catch the live action of Fiji’s games on FBC TV. With a renewed focus and a more consistent squad, the Fijiana is eager to translate their preparations into results and regain their position in the standings.
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