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Fiji 7s get ready for Hong Kong
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Feb 21, 2007 - 11:09:09 PM
The Digicel Fiji 7s training squad marches into camp on Sunday as it gears up to win in Hong Kong for the first time since 1999.
"The first training camp is on Sunday, this will be a series of three days training camp before the final 12-member squad march into camp two weeks before the Hong Kong 7s,'' said Digicel Fiji 7s team manager Opetaia Ravai.
He said 20-players would march into camp on Sunday.
"The 20-players have been contacted and media will be notified by Friday.''
"The first camp will be for three days followed by either two or three more similar camps before selectors announce the squad to play in the third leg.''
Ravai said Hong Kong 7s had the highest points on offer and to retain the IRB World Sevens Series crown Fiji team could not afford failure.
"The four tournaments we played in were all tough, Hong Kong 7s will be no different, the tournament is lucrative and a challenge for us.''
"We will be definitely stepping up preparations, the series at this stage is a four team race, all four teams will want to win in Hong Kong to improve their chances,'' He said.
"Also England as defending champions they will be out to mantain their champion status so its going to be really interesting and tough as well but we are planning our preparation well to win.''
Ravai said the 12-member squad that featured in the second leg including Naitasiri terrier Serevi Kubu would form core of the 20-member extended training squad.
"We usually don't change the winning combination but there can be one or two changes at the most because of injuries and 15s rugby commitment.''
"The officials are also in the process of getting a feedback on the status of Neumi Nanuku's recovery.''
Ravai said Nanuku was a proven 7s player but his availability depended on the physio's report and what kind combination the coaches were planning to use in the third leg.
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