Fiji’s insatiable hunger for the sport will ensure the world champions are the team to beat at this weekend’s Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, according to coach Ben Ryan.
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The small Pacific Island nation is a powerhouse in the shorter form of the game, storming to victory in the 2014-15 HSBC Sevens World Series.
The new edition kicks off at The Sevens on Thursday with added importance provided by the discipline’s debut at next summer’s Rio 2016 Olympics. Test stars such as New Zealand’s Sonny Bill Williams – a non-playing guest in the UAE – and South Africa’s Bryan Habana are set to be drafted in during the coming months.
But for Fiji coach Ryan, he is looking to give his established squad the chance to prove themselves before considering changes. He said: “Our boys on the island don’t earn much money, they live and breathe sevens as it is the national sport.
“I have said to these guys, it is their chance to leave a mark in the sand. If we smash the next two tournaments, we’ll be looking to keep this team together. Our goal when wearing the Fiji shirt is to win and it will take an extremely good side to knock us over.”
South Africa are the holders in Dubai after they thrashed Australia 33-7 in last year’s final. Much is expected of them again, following the introduction of Test stars Juan de Jongh and Francois Hougaard.
Coach Neil Powell insisted there is no risk of complacency in Pool B which also features Samoa, Scotland and Russia, memories fresh of the 15-a-side Springboks’ recent Rugby World Cup humiliation against Japan.
He said: “As defending champions, we know nothing we did in the past will help us in this tournament.
Fiji sevens’ Ben Ryan has affection for @Abudhabiquins after helping hand: https://t.co/2aLyQXclW8 @MattJones360 pic.twitter.com/t66awWikSq
— Sport360° (@Sport360) November 30, 2015
“We play Russia and we had a painful reminder in the World Cup losing against Japan, so we can’t go against them and think it’s going to be an easy game.”
Argentina are one of the dark horses for glory at next summer’s Games and head coach Santiago Gomez Cora revealed the competition has been on his mind throughout his spell in charge.
“The Olympic Games have been the main goal since I started my tenure in 2013,” he said. “We will play along the way to ensure we are competitive, strong and able to dream of silverware.”
England head to Dubai in search of their first triumph in four years, although they will have to navigate a daunting Pool D which contains Australia, Wales and Kenya.
Boss Simon Amor will have backs Cameron Cowell and Ruaridh McConnochie to call on for the first time and he was looking forward to seeing the debutants in action.
He said: “There are some voids to be filled and I’m delighted with the way that Cameron and Ruaridh have progressed over a very long pre-season.”
