With the new and bigger Sevens World Series beginning today in Dubai, teams are all aiming for a perfect start.
Vodafone Fiji 7s captain Osea Kolinisau says they have beefed up a lot of their training and most players have put on a bit of weight.
He says they know that a lot of teams are gunning for them and for the series.
World Rugby says with extra bulk and a finely tuned mental game, Fiji will have their work cut out in Dubai with the likes of reigning tournament champions South Africa looking to start the series with victory.
Fiji will face Argentina, Canada and Japan in Pool A, and Kolinisau is viewing every team as a threat at the series opener.
Kolinisau says rugby sevens, and the Olympics in particular, were always at the back of his mind in the off season and kept him motivated during the six weeks of no training.
He says Fiji is coming into the first tournament in Dubai with a few of the local boys.
Kolinisau says Ben Ryan said he would give them a chance on this first leg.
Vodafone Fiji 7s coach Ben Ryan has made it clear that they want to start the World Rugby Series with a win in Dubai.
Ryan says they will treat every game as if it is the final.
Meanwhile, the Springbok Sevens team is eyeing another good start at one of their favourite hunting grounds.
Head coach Neil Powell reckons the teams will change their usual approach over the next few months.
Powell says this is such an important season and he is sure they will see some different strategies from the teams.
Powell expects momentum to be a key factor, especially in the first two tournaments.
New Zealand sevens Coach Sir Gordon Tietjens is eager for a perfect start by his team in Dubai.
The All Blacks 7s team hasn’t won in Dubai since 2009 and their only finals appearance since then was a loss to Samoa in the 2012 title match.
Tietjens maintains that to do well in the series, they have to start well right at the beginning so they are prepared for Dubai.
He says they have prepared well, planned well and now they have to perform.
Argentina Sevens head coach Santiago Gómez Cora says they have to first focus on what is in front of them.
He says they will take one step at a time.
Australia 7s coach Scott Bowen wants a strong performance in Dubai.
He says the team is looking sharp and the players are fit and raring to go.
Wallabies wing Henry Speight will also make his debut for 7s for Australia in Dubai.
Fiji and Canada will kick off the Dubai 7s tournament with the two sides meeting at 6 tonight.
Fiji will then take on Japan at 9pm before facing Argentina at 3.28am tomorrow.
The Cup quarterfinals will start at 8pm tomorrow, Cup semis will start at 1.41am Sunday while the Cup final will be at 4.48am Sunday.
