Fiji 7s coach Gareth Baber has been impressed with the performance of the Vodafone Fiji 7s team in training throughout the week despite losing key players to injury and suspensions.
Speedster Joeli Lutumailagi is out due to injury while Sevuloni Mocenacagi has been suspended for the next three games and Vatemo Ravouvou has been suspended for one game.
Coach Gareth Baber says losing Lutumailagi is disappointing because of his recent form.
Nacanieli Labalaba has been listed as the 13th player in the Vodafone Fiji 7s squad for the Vancouver 7s replacing Lutumailagi who has scored 19 tries this season.
The Vodafone Fiji 7s squad for the Vancouver 7s includes Samisoni Viriviri, Apisai Domolailai, Osea Kolinisau, Waisea Nacuqu, Vatemo Ravouvou, Jerry Tuwai, Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Setareki Bituniyata, Alivereti Veitokani, Kalione Nasoko, Nacanieli Labalaba, Mesulame Kunavula and Nemani Nagusa.
And the South Africa 7s team has again made it clear that they intend to extend their lead on the World 7s series standings by winning the Vancouver 7s which starts tomorrow.
Coach Neil Powell says there is always room for improvement even if it is just one percent. South Africa is pooled with England, Kenya and Chile.
The New Zealand 7s team is also targeting to improve their discipline after they finished fourth in the Las Vegas 7s.
Coach Scott Waldrom says it is a big area they are focused on.
Meanwhile, Fiji’s pool opponents, Samoa has been hit with a major blow ahead of the start of the Vancouver Sevens.
Coach Gordon Tietjens has confirmed the team will be without veteran forward Faalemiga Selesele who is struggling with a shoulder injury.
He has been replaced by Elisapeta Alofipo. Argentina which is also pooled with Fiji have named an unchanged side while the big change for Wales will be the return of Cory Allen who slots in for Morgan Williams.
Fiji will take on Wales at 6.36am tomorrow, their second game is against Samoa at 10.12am tomorrow before meeting Argentina at 1.52pm tomorrow in their last pool match.
The Medal quarter finals will start at 6.08am Monday, the semis start at 10.08am Monday while the final will kick off at 1.19pm Monday.
Barring any upsets, Fiji is likely to meet USA, Australia or France in the quarter finals, we will meet either New Zealand or England in semifinals and South Africa in the final.
