Nationwide Nadi Army 7s will make their international debut this weekend when they compete at the Borneo Sevens in Malaysia, the team confirmed as they left Fiji on Wednesday evening. The side is expected to arrive in Malaysia today and will face a pool that includes Uzbekistan 7s, Bunga Raya 7s Development and DKI Jakarta.
Head coach Napolioni Naulia said the squad’s preparations have been thorough since their recent outing at the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s. “After our Marist 7s campaign, we returned to camp and worked on the areas we needed to improve,” Naulia said, adding that the coaching staff concentrated on polishing both skills and combinations ahead of the international assignment.
The tour carries extra significance because most of the players are making their first overseas trip. “The boys are very excited because about 90 per cent of the team are travelling abroad for the first time,” Naulia said, underlining the opportunity the tournament presents for player development. Despite the inexperience on the international stage, the coach expressed confidence his players will rise to the occasion. “Our aim is to win the tournament and make it a memorable tour, especially since it is the first international outing for many of the boys,” he said.
Led by captain Inia Tawalo, the Nadi Army side will have the chance to test themselves against a mix of national and development sides in Pool B. Organisers have billed the Borneo Sevens as a competitive regional event that attracts a range of teams from Asia and the Pacific; for Nationwide Nadi Army, it will be a step up from domestic sevens circuits and a valuable measuring stick for the squad’s progress.
Naulia noted the importance of the experience beyond immediate results, saying the trip will expose young players to different playing styles and the pressures of travel and tournament rugby. The coaching staff have emphasised adaptability and discipline, qualities the Army sides traditionally prize, and will use the matches as part of a broader development plan for the club’s sevens program.
The team also acknowledged the role of supporters and backers in making the tour possible. Players and management paid thanks to sponsors, family members and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces fraternity for their assistance. With the squad poised to step onto foreign soil for the first time as a group, Nationwide Nadi Army 7s will aim to combine ambition with the learning curve that comes from their maiden international outing.
Leave a comment