Digicel Fiji 7s coach Iliesa Tanivula wants to create history in guiding the national side to become the first ever team to successfully defend the Melrose Cup in Dubai this weekend.
Past winners of the highest prize in 7s rugby has not been able to successfully defend the title since the inception of the RWC 7s in 1993.
England was the first team to walk away with the Melrose Cup in 1993 but they failed to defend it in 1997 where Fiji was crowned World champions after beating South Africa in the final.
In 2001, Fiji lost the Melrose after losing to Australia in the semifinal but New Zealand won the final in Mar Del Plata.
Fiji won their second Melrose Cup title in 2005 beating defending champion New Zealand at the Happy Valley ground in Hong Kong.
This time around while past history does not favour Fiji, Tanivula remains confident of his side.
Fiji's first World Cup pool game in Dubai is against Georgia on Friday at 4.16am.
Meanwhile, former England 7s and 15s rep Lawrence Dallaglio and Matt Dawson will have their names in the history book of 7s rugby code for sometime after bursting into the Sevens scene in 1993 and going to carve out their own little niche in rugby.
Their success in the inaugural Rugby World Cup 7s in Murrayfield in 1993 proved a catalyst for the then 21 year olds 10 years later they made history by becoming the only players to win the Melrose and Webb Ellis Cup.
Dallaglio said when he looks back at the names involved in those tournament legends such as Australia's Michael Lynagh and David Campese and Fiji's Waisale Serevi it was amazing competition and he was proud to be involved.
He recalled the semifinal against Fiji was very tough and when they came through he knew they could beat Australia in the final.
Dallaglio also played every minute of all seven matches in the 2003 RWC win, the only player to do so.
He admits that the preparation for the 1993 World Cup 7s was slightly different to the 2003 RWC.
In 1993 there was certainly no training camp, no ice baths or real fitness testing, he said they even had a few beers the night before the tournament.
England is in the toughest group in Dubai as they are in Pool E with Kenya, Hong Kong and Tunisia.
The 2009 Rugby World Cup 7s kicks off in Dubai on Friday morning at 1am with Wales taking on Zimbabwe.
Tanivula wants to create history
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