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 TEIVOVO.COM - INTERNATIONAL 7s
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Wednesday 17 January 2007
Fiji 7s lift defensive efforts
By William Tabuya
Digicel Fiji 7s assistant coach Josateki Savou says Tuesday that his team's defence stepped up a notch in the victory against the Fiji Bati rugby league team at the Suva Grammar grounds.
“The defensive patterns of the boys have really improved since the last time these two sides met, especially the tackling,” the former Suva fly-half said.
“The Bati played a very strong game but the Digicel Fiji 7s boys stood up to them. Things are looking good for us.”
Like last week, the match was played in four quarters – the first two using 7s rules and the third and fourth following rugby league laws.
The Bati boys started with much energy and enthusiasm but the 7s boys contained them with hard-hitting tackles that gaveplenty of work to the team doctor.
Last year's BP 7s Series best player Etonia Naba stood out with some powerful runs while Digicel Fiji 7s Player of the Year Lepani Nabuliwaqa proved to be a slippery customer on the field.
Nadi wing Vima Tuidraki and Naitasiri’s Nasoni Roko were firm in defence for the 7s side as they took on their bigger opponents.
Serevi Kubu brought the crowds to their feet when he carried three defenders with him to score a try in the corner.
Youngsters Sakenasa Aca and Tomasi Mawi also gave coach Waisale Serevi a glimpse of what they are capable of. And William Ryder joined the side in the second half and scored a try as he ran the length of the field.
Serevi thanked both the teams after leading them in prayer: “Today’s game was really tough and we all saw a lot of improvements. If we continue to play like this then we should both do well on the day.”
Savou confirmed that Neumi Nanuku will not travel with the side as he has yet to recover from a knee injury. The Nadroga fullback had some excess fluids drained from his knee.
The Fiji Rugby Union will name the 12 players for the second leg of the IRB World 7s Series on Friday.
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