New Zealand 7s coach, Gordon Tietjens said people might see them as the team to beat but he thinks the sleeping giants for this year’s series is Fiji.

Tietjens said Fiji were not at the Commonwealth games, which was a big shame for them, but they go quietly about their business, play sevens week in week out in Fiji, and he thinks that the Fijians will bring an very good side.

Tiietjens added Defending IRB 7s series Champions, Samoa will be strong too, England will be good and Ben Ryan has already said to him that he will have the same side that he took to the Commonwealth games.

The most successful coach in the 7s code said one must not forget Australia as they get better and better with every tournament ending up with winning one in London last year and making up to the final in Edinburgh.

Tietjens said he is excited that his boys will be defending their title in Dubai adding it was a great performance last year, one that made him really proud and winning the Commonwealth games has upped the confidence in them.

The Dubai 7s tournament will be played 3rd and 4th of December and the Digicel Fiji 7s team is pooled with Portugal, France and England.



Story by: Dhanjay Deo
Source: IRB