Fiji Airways Fijian 7’s team arrive in Levuka ahead of Yalovata 7’s

The Fiji Airways Fijian 7s kick-off their 2024 HSBC Sevens Series and Olympics preparation by participating at Fiji Bitter Yalovata 7s tournament at Nasau Park in Levuka in what is expected to be a tough encounter with 24 top local teams that have been placed in 6 Pools.

Participating as the Fiji Baba’s, the team is made-up of a mixture of senior and development players who are vying for a spot in the national team that is lined-up for the first 2024 HSBC SVNS tournament in Perth at the end of January.

National 7s coach, Ben Gollings says they are always keeping an eye out for players as Fiji has talent to be discovered and opportunities may arise if they stand-out and are performing to the standard required at the national level.

“We have selected 15 players to take part this week in Levuka. This is a mixture of senior and development players as we look to provide valuable game time to players and work together as a squad,’’said Gollings.

“Taking part in local tournaments is integral to the team’s performance. It provides valuable game time for players and a high level of competition to play in. We mix up the opportunities to play as a team and then send players to play with the clubs.”

“We are thankful for the local team’s support of the national team and we in turn support them by letting the players play for their clubs. The local tournaments are the real strength that Fiji has, and we want to maximise it, especially now that the World series has only 8 tournaments,” added Gollings.

The shadow national team participating at the 7s tournament at Fiji’s Old Capital is grouped with Police White, Police Levuka and Flame Tree Colo-i-Suva in Pool F of the 3-day event that starts on Thursday at Nasau Park.