Poor ending for Fiji 7s team
Since the NZ, USA, Hong Kong, Australia, England and Scotland 7s tournaments, Fiji has managed only 1 win in the new season in Gold Coast 3 weeks ago before following the same path again with consecutive losses in Dubai and South Africa yesterday.
The year marked the changes in the coaching staff where former coach, Iliesa Tanivula guided the Fiji team to Wellington, Las Vegas, Hong Kong before he was replaced in Adelaide.
Changes took place in May when his assistant Josateki Savou was given another shot at the role and was assisted by Manasa Bari where they surprised the rugby public when they opted for a young side to play in the England and Scotland 7's where they recorded their biggest win against New Zealand 42-19 in the semifinal in London and later lost to South Africa in the final.
Later on the season during the Pacific Games, Fiji put together a team with just 4 days remaining and they failed to successfully defend the gold medal losing 21-19 to an experienced Samoan team before going down to the same side again in the Oceania Games.
The coach's post was advertised for the new IRB 7's season where Alifereti Dere and Eddy Waqa were picked by the new FRU board with a win in Gold Coast followed by the loss to England in Dubai and South Africa.
Now the attention turns to New Zealand who are joint leaders with Fiji on 51 points and they will meet Wales, Tonga and Argentina in the pool game in February.
Story by: Dreu Vukailagi
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