Members of the Fiji men's sevens team training in the rain in Suva, in preparation for the Perth 7s tournament. Photo: Fiji Rugby Photo: Fiji Rugby
Fiji and New Zealand have named their teams for this weekend's Perth Sevens tournament, as the annual HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series continues.
Fijian coach Osea Kolinisau has named two players making their return to the series.
Twenty three-year-old Sakiusa Siqila, who last played at the Madrid sevens a year ago, and former captain Joseva Talacolo, who is returning from injury, have been named in the 13-member squad now in Perth.
New Zealand head coach Tomasi Cama, the son of former Fiji sevens star Tomasi Cama senior, has named two new players in his squad.
They are 18-year-old Maloni Kunawave, who also has Fijian heritage, and Frank Vaenuku, who is of Tongan heritage.
Fiji men's sevens team reps Vuiviwa Naduvalo (left) and George Bese at Nadi International Airport ready for depart for Perth on Monday. The two will play for Fiji at the Perth Sevens this weekend. Photo: Fiji Rugby Photo: Fiji Rugby
Kolinisau confident
Kolinisau told Fiji media before the team flew to Perth on Monday that he has confidence in the team.
He wants to see the team maintain their lead at the top of the points table, where they currently sit with 36 points, four clear of second-placed Spain.
He said being consistent is going to be their focus this week.
"We've put in a lot of work leading up to this, and I'm confident in the squad we've selected," he told Fiji media.
"We've been focusing on executing our game plan under pressure and maintaining consistency throughout all matches. The team knows what's at stake, and we're ready to give it our all for Fiji."
Key forward player Jerry Matana, who led the side at the Dubai and Cape Town tournaments in December, is out of the squad because of an injury sustained at last weekend's Coral Coast Sevens tournament in Sigatoka.
Fiji reclaimed the main title there but at a cost as Matana misses Perth.
He is being replaced by utility Filipe Sauturaga as captain.
Fiji will be up against New Zealand, Kenya, and Uruguay in Pool C.
They play their first game at 3.22pm Fiji time on Friday against Uruguay, before they meet Kenya at 7.59pm on Friday night and New Zealand at 4.22pm on Saturday.
Cama says Coral Coast warm up good for team
The New Zealand sevens team playing against the Fiji Drua sevens in Sigatoka last weekend. Photo: Coral Coast 7s Photo: Coral Coast 7s
The New Zealand sevens side will be aiming to lift their success in the series.
They are currently sixth overall with 24 points.
Fiji leads with 36, Spain is second with 32, France and South Africa have 30, and Argentina has 28.
Coach Cama said at the weekend having the young team play at the Coral Coast sevens was good for the team.
"The game is played week in, week out [in Fiji] and the more you play the more you get better," Cama told Fiji media.
"This is a better place for us to come and learn and we got a lot young boys in our team. But the foundation of sevens is not there - they are fifteen's players and this is the best place to come."
Kunawave and Vaenuku are both new caps in the side as Cama continues to develop the team.
New Zealand will meet Kenya in their first pool game at 2pm New Zealand time on Friday, before meeting Uruguay, also on Friday and battling Fiji on Saturday in their final pool match.
Men's Cup quarterfinals will kick off at 9.27pm (FJT) on Saturday, the semi-finals are at 7.05pm Sunday and the cup final is scheduled for 11.35pm the same night.
The women's competition, which will also feature the Fijiana team, will also see matches on Friday.
Fijiana meets USA, Canada and Great Britain in their pool games.
The cup quarterfinals will kick off just after midnight on Sunday morning, the cup semi-finals will start at 7.49pm Sunday and the cup final will kick off at 12.11am on Monday.
For the first time, the women's final will be held as the main event and finale of the Perth tournament, straight after the men's final.
