Friday, Nov 23, 2007
Dubai: Fiji will be bidding to build on their recent World Cup successes and take the first step towards regaining their IRB World Series title when the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens kicks off next week.
The South Sea islanders clinched the world crown for the first time in 2006, breaking New Zealand's remarkable run of six successive triumphs. And Fiji appeared set to make it two in a row only to surprisingly slip up in the final tournament at Murrayfield in June and allow New Zealand to sprint clear.
That setback came as a heavy blow to arguably the most naturally gifted team on the IRB Sevens World Series circuit. But coach Josateki Savou is determined to look forward with the assembling of a new-look squad as Fiji bid to bounce back in style and also maintain the momentum shown by the 15s team which reached the quarter-finals in the World Cup in France just a couple of months ago.
Fantastic
Gary Chapman, President Group Services and Dnata, Emirates Group, said: "Fiji are renowned for their fantastic Sevens skills and the way in which they entertain spectators around the world, and particularly here in Dubai.
"They performed heroically in the World Cup, and I'm sure we will be watching some of their stars of tomorrow when the Sevens get underway."
Fiji will have to hit something approaching their top form from their very start in Dubai after being handed an extremely challenging draw. The islanders have a testing opening game against Argentina before taking on Zimbabwe and then Australia, who dug in for a surprise victory in last year's pool stages.
Gulf News 2007. All rights reserved.
