The Fijian government hopes the opening of a new stadium in the capital Suva will convince the International Rugby Board (IRB) they’re ready to host a leg of the Sevens world series as early as next year.
Despite being the national sport in Fiji and their flamboyant team setting the standard with New Zealand since the worldwide schedule was introduced in 1999, the Pacific nation isn’t part of the current nine-event series that runs between October and May.
Fiji host a number of highly-regarded Sevens tournaments to packed stadiums and fans are itching for the world’s best players to visit as part of the top-tier competition that includes stops in Hong Kong, Dubai, London, Las Vegas and the Gold Coast.
“One big development this year is the opening in March of our national stadium in Suva,” said Fiji’s sport minister Viliame Naupoto.
“It is to international standard with 20,000-seated capacity that will then allow us to get a leg of the IRB series.
“I think next year maybe is our first chance to get an IRB leg in Fiji and it will be exciting for a Sevens nation like us.”
Naupoto was talking during the finals of the Uprising Sevens earlier this month in the north-west city of Lautoka, one of the tournaments that includes teams from Australia, New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga.
Australian Thunderbolts coach Michael O’Connor used the two-day, 16-team tournament as an important audition for players keen to be included in the national team when the Sevens world series resumes in Wellington on Saturday.
The local teams included Fiji sevens stars such as Setefano Cakau and Ilai Tinai and players who had travelled back from their French clubs to play in front of their adoring fans.
“It’s a high-quality tournament,” said O’Connor. “Every match is tough.
“It’s important that we play tournaments like this where we’re up against world-class opposition.
“Some of our guys are on their P-plates to a certain extent.
“The reason the Fijians are so good at Sevens is because they are so used to playing the game – it’s ingrained in them.
“You see the kids playing the game in parks all the time.
“Our guys don’t play Sevens until they leave school and so we have to teach them. And there’s no better place than to come here to learn.”
