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 TEIVOVO.COM – INTERNATIONAL 7s
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Friday 19 January 2007
Fiji 7s focus on kick-offs
By William Tabuya
The Digicel Fiji 7s side will prioritize gaining possession at the kick-offs during the second leg of the 2006-07 IRB World 7s Series in Wellington and San Diego next month.
Speaking to Teivovo, Digicel Fiji 7s assistant coach Josateki Savou said possession is at the top of the priorities list.
“Ball retention is very important if we are to win in Wellington and San Diego,” Savou said. “With Semisi Naevo joining us on Sunday, we will have someone who specializes in this.”
Naevo played a crucial role in Fiji’s Rugby World Cup 7s win in 2005, and later the 2005-06 IRB World 7s series title.
“He is a world class 7s player who will contribute immensely to the Fiji side, which has some new boys.”
During the two matches between the Digicel Fiji 7s side and the Fiji Bati at the Suva Grammar ground, it was evident that Serevi and his men needed to pay more attention on gaining possession at the kick-offs.
“Defence was our only concern during those two games. Since we have achieved that, we will now focus on the kick-offs,” the former Fiji 7s rep said.
In this regard, Savou said some of the new players can prove promising: “Tall players like Serevi Kubu and Etonia Naba can become experts at ball retention if we use them well.”
Possession was a key factor that contributed to Fiji’s losses to rivals New Zealand in both the Dubai and George semi-finals. The Kiwis kept the ball away from Serevi’s men and that was how they stunned the world champions and current series title holders.
The 12-man Fiji Digicel 7s side for Wellington will be named next week.
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