Fiji Rugby Union {FRU} has today confirmed that the New Zealand 7s men’s and women’s team are in the country to participate in a mini-tournament against Fiji Airways Fijian and Fijiana 7s teams. The competition will also include the Australian men’s team who are expected to arrive in the country this weekend.
FRU Chief Executive John O’Connor said they have arranged this competition so that the teams get much-needed game time and tournament practice before the next leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Vancouver and Singapore.
“The All Blacks 7s women’s team will also feature in the Leg 3 of Fun Flavour Super 7s Series in Lautoka which kicks off on Thursday at Churchill Park.
The visitors from New Zealand replace Waitui Waidroka who are sitting at the bottom of the Women’s ranking after the last two legs. They are in Pool A with Army, Valkyries and Marist.
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s Head Coach Ben Gollings said it's fantastic that they can host Australia and New Zealand here in Fiji.
He said “It’s good for us both on and off the field and it is very important for our preparation. It will also provide us a much-needed hit out against international opposition leading into the next two legs.
We will be able to get a gauge on how we are tracking and its valuable experience for our players who have not played a lot of international rugby. Gollings further added that both teams have not played a lot of rugby during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been particularly difficult for New Zealand as they have been starved of the ability to play games.
“Both teams will be relishing the opportunity to play games and put all the hard work and practice out on the field. The great thing about 7s is that although we are opponents on the field there is always a willingness to support each other’s game” said Gollings.
Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s Head Coach Saiasi Fuli also shared the same sentiments.
“It will be good to play against the Olympic Gold Medalists the All Blacks 7s team leading up to next two legs in Langford and Toulouse.
Both teams will be able to gauge their fitness, game plans, and set pieces during the two days of the tournament in Lautoka” said Fuli.
All Blacks 7s Head Coach Clark Laidlaw said “We are so excited to travel to Fiji and have the opportunity to play live rugby against such quality oppositions.
He added “It is crucial to get live rugby again and give our team the excitement and energy live rugby brings. It has been a very difficult period for our teams not being able to travel and play and we are extremely grateful that Fiji Rugby is helping us with this opportunity to prepare for the World Rugby Sevens Series events coming up as well as starting our preparation for Commonwealth Games and World Cup.”
All Blacks 7s women’s Head Coach Cory Sweeney said “Black Fern 7s have not played in a tournament against international teams since the Olympic Games in 2021, and what better team to test ourselves against than Fiji. One of the best 7s teams in the World.”
“We are extremely appreciating of the support Fiji Rugby has shown us and the openness for us to enter the local tournament which will hopefully benefit all teams involved.
We have an exciting group of young players traveling to Fiji who has been waiting for an opportunity to play on the international stage for a while and now they get to test themselves against some of the best players in the game” said Sweeney.
Australian 7s men’s Head Coach John Manenti also thanked Fiji Rugby and believes it’s an excellent learning curve for all teams participating before the international meet.
Manenti said “We are a young team that’s still finding our way on the world stage with only 3 players in our squad having played more than 10 World Series events.”
