The open rugby Fijian flair and the trademark defense are on the menu for the new Sevens coaching duo of head coach Alifereti Dere and his assistant Eddie Waqa.

Fiji Rugby Union board chairman Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga said the decision was not an easy one after interviewing the four shortlisted candidates last week - Dere, Waqa, Sailosi Naiteqe and Acura Niuqila - but revealed it was Dere’s coaching philosophy that saw him get the nod.

Tikoitoga said that Dere’s coaching philosophy is based on more running Fijian rugby and continuously throwing the ball around the pitch which is something the board want to see back in our Sevens team.