Fiji Airways Fijiana head coach Richard Walker has emphasized the need for improvement in several key areas following two pool losses at the Perth 7s tournament. Walker pinpointed kickoffs, setting offloads, and ball presentation as critical elements that require enhancement for the team to find success.
The Fijiana’s campaign began with a challenging match against the United States, where they suffered a 34-15 defeat. Despite an initial advantage with a try from Reapi Ulunisau after the USA was reduced to six players, the Americans quickly retaliated. Flashy plays from Ariana Ramsey and Susan Adegoke allowed the USA to pull ahead and maintain control throughout the match. Although Ulunisau and Kolora Lomani managed to add tries for Fiji, late scores by the USA ultimately sealed the win for the opposing team.
In their subsequent game against New Zealand, the Fijiana struggled significantly, facing a 36-5 loss. The team was unable to establish any rhythm and went without scoring for more than 13 minutes. It wasn’t until the dying moments of the match that captain Verenaisi Ditavutu finally crossed the line to score, leaving the team still in search of their first victory of the tournament.
With the focus now on rectifying these key areas, Walker remains hopeful that the Fijiana can regroup and make the necessary adjustments for their upcoming matches. Despite the setbacks, there is a sense of determination within the team to improve and showcase their potential in future games.
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