The Digicel Fiji Sevens team are aware of the competition format in the Hong Kong Sevens where only the top teams from the 6 pools will qualify to the quarterfinal stages and will be accompanied by the 2 teams that scored more points during their pool games.
Manager Jope Tuivanuavou said they do not want a repeat of the mistakes made in the Australia Sevens where they lost in their opening pool game to Wales and failed to score big wins in their other pool games.
Tuivanuavou added that being in the same pool with USA who reached the final in Australia will not be an easy task for the players.
Fiji will take on Thailand in their opening game at 10.14pm tomorrow.
Meanwhile, New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens won’t be taking any chances at this weekend’s Hong Kong Sevens and is planning to meet with IRB Sevens match officials after his side was hammered in the penalty count in Adelaide.
Tietjens had studied a video compilation of the penalties awarded against his side at last week’s Adelaide Sevens and said he would take any concerns to a meeting with match officials before the tournament kicks off tomorrow.
New Zealand had to settle for the second tier Plate final in Australia after being knocked out of the Cup in the quarterfinals by an in form Samoa.
Tietjens was baffled at a lopsided penalty count that saw New Zealand concede 22 and be awarded just 4 in their first four matches.
In the quarterfinal they were penalized 6 times to whereas Samoa had none.
Tietjens said 2 dubious Samoan tries during their 24 19 extra time quarterfinal triumph had undermined his under strength side.
But there is no denying New Zealand’s discipline was a contributing factor, particularly after Kurt Baker was yellow carded for dissent, to gift Samoa a man advantage in golden point overtime.
New Zealand is pooled with Chinese Taipei, France and Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens which kicks off tomorrow at 9:30pm.
Fiji Sevens team keeps a low profile
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