The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team is keenly analyzing their recent performances from the Singapore tournament, with a specific focus on bolstering their defense ahead of the upcoming competition in Perth. Head coach Richie Walker shared insights from Perth, reinforcing the team’s commitment to enhancing their defensive strategies.
Walker recognized the critical areas needing improvement and highlighted the importance of translating their on-field efforts into winning results. He emphasized that maintaining consistency and adhering to defensive tactics are essential as they prepare to face a challenging pool of opponents in Perth.
“Our main aim is to keep the consistency with the players. We’ll be up against tough competition, and we just need to stick to our defense and game plan,” said Walker.
Despite the need for enhancements, Walker expressed pride in the team’s performance during previous tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town, noting their capacity to execute effective rugby and apply pressure on their opponents defensively.
“The girls really played good rugby; they’ve improved significantly compared to their outings in Dubai and Cape Town,” he remarked. Walker is confident that if the team continues to play at this level, they can overcome any adversary they encounter.
Key lessons from Singapore include the team’s progressive attack, pushing back their opponents on defense. Walker believes this approach is vital for their success, stating, “As we know in Fijian rugby, if we get that right, we can beat any team in the world.”
The Fijiana will kick off their Perth campaign against the USA at 2:30 PM on Saturday, followed by matches against New Zealand at 5:58 PM and Japan at 8:52 PM. The semi-finals for the women’s cup are scheduled for 4:13 PM on Sunday, culminating in the cup final at 8:28 PM that evening.
With their determination and focus on improvement, the Fijiana team aims to deliver an inspiring performance that could pave the way for victory.
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