The RC Manubhai Nataleira Sevens, scheduled to take place from December 12-14 at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori, has introduced exciting new regulations aimed at enhancing the spirit of competition. Tournament director Solo Finau announced that a bonus points system has been incorporated to benefit all participating teams.
The tournament aims to attract 80 teams, organized into four tiers: Tier One for champion teams, Tier Two for regular competitors, Tier Three for senior women’s teams, and Tier Four focused on Under-19 players.
Finau expressed enthusiasm for the innovative approaches being implemented to renew interest in sevens tournaments across Fiji. He emphasized that these changes are designed not only to provide financial advantages to teams but also to cultivate player development. “We are changing the competition format so that local players learn how to excel in high-pressure situations,” he noted, highlighting that crucial strategies such as drop goals, which have won World Cups, should be employed dynamically within gameplay.
In a bid to further incentivize excitement on the field, participants will have the chance to earn instant rewards. A player who executes a coast-to-coast try, originating from within their own “In-Goal space,” will receive an immediate cash prize of $100. Additionally, the Team Captain of a team achieving a coast-to-coast try will also be awarded $100. Other cash prizes will be given for accomplishments such as the most converted tries or drop goals by a team throughout the tournament.
Teams will also be in contention for an instant $100 reward if they manage to equal or beat Alosio Naduva’s impressive record of a 6.78-second try or complete a fast try within eight to fourteen seconds without any stoppages.
Sanctioned by the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU), the tournament is set to kick off with a launch event on December 6.
This revamped tournament framework promises to inject fresh energy into the local rugby scene, providing players with not only financial incentives but also a platform to showcase their skills and strategies. As interest in rugby sevens continues to thrive, events like the Nataleira Sevens offer a hopeful outlook for the future of the sport in Fiji.
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