Sevens rugby kings to

Sports

Sevens rugby kings to host international tourney

By Martin Tiffany

FIJI, already the unofficial king ofseven i-side rugby, is poised to make its debut is host of an international sevens tourna nent. And if things go according to plan his inaugural tournament could become >art of the world rugby sevens calendar n future.

To date New Zealand, Australia, Vestern Samoa, Tonga and Scotland lave confirmed their participation in the 'iji International Sevens tournament on darch 20. While the participation of the Jnited States, Canada and Argentina ias yet to be confirmed. The tournament > being organised by the Fiji Rugby 'ootball Union and has the national irline Air Pacific as sponsor.

South Africa had to turn down the ivitation to compete in the Fiji tourna lent as it clashes with a tournament they re holding to select their team for the long Kong sevens and the inaugural evens World Cup in Edinburgh, Scot ind in April.

The FRFU are working with the rganisers of the Canberra Sevens and le Cathay Pacific Hongkongßank Invi ition Sevens to try and attract the US, lanada and Argentina. The Canberra evens is on March 13, the Fiji Interna onal Sevens on March 20 and the Hong .ong sevens is on March 27-28. The tree countries have already confirmed

icir participation in Hong Kong. What

ic organisers of the three tournaments ant to do is offer an attractive package ith minimum costs so the teams can ay in Canberra and Fiji en route to ong Kong.

The decision to hold the Fiji tourna ent was announced by Sports Minister atu Inokc Kubuabola and was given ie go-ahead by cabinet. Ratu Inoke said e tournament was to lay a base for an mual event on the world rugby sevens Jendar. He said the country would gain Dm the flow-on benefits to tourism and the national flag-carrier, Air Pacific.

With the uncertainty that surrounds ong Kong in light of the return of the •itish colony to China in 1997 Fiji could - well placed to gain. As an attractive urist destination Fiji could offer a new >me should the Hong Kong tourna ent be discontinued. The Hong Kong urnament attracts teams from all ound the world who are followed by imerous supporters. These supporters

combine the sport with a holiday with many coming back year after year. If Fiji can lure these teams and supporters it can only be good for the country. But the Fiji tournament will have to prove itself first.

Fiji’s neighbours Australia and New Zealand have expressed a willingness to

help Fiji develop its international sevens tournament as it will help develop Fiji rugby. Australia said they will send their best team available for the tournament although most of its star players will be missing.

One reason for the absences is a match between Queensland and the Western Province of South Africa on March 21 while star winger David Campeses, Australian captain Michael Lynagh, Tongan-born breakaway Willie Ofahengaue and number eight Tim Gavin are playing in the Italian compe tition. The Australian Rugby Union have experienced difficulty in the past getting releases from Italy so it is unlikely these players will feature.

One thing the Fiji tournament has in its favour is the high profile the country has gained from sevens rugby. The Fiji team has won the Hong Kong sevens the unofficial seven-a-side rugby world cup for a record seven times and an unprecedented three times in a row.

They have also won a number of other international sevens tournaments. So playing in a tournament in the home of the seven-a-side rugby champions will be a strong selling point.

However, their team to defend the Hong Kong crown will not play in the tournament. Team administrators say the team will be in camp preparing for Hong Kong and as the Fiji tournament is just a week before the Hong Kong

Mesake Rasari: one of the champion Fijians

tournament they can’t risk injury especi ally as defending champions. But with the amount of sevens talent available in the country the team that does compete for Fiji will no doubt be a formidable iide.

Organisers of the Fiji tournament should take this into account as the participation of the champion Fiji team will be a definite draw card.

Fiji’s status as sevens rugby kings will t>e truly sealed if they win the inaugural Sevens World Cup in Edinburgh, Scot and in April.

While Fiji’s decision to hold an nternational tournament has generally net with praise and encouragement, it las not been without criticism. Some of he Fiji rugby unions feel too much emphasis is being placed on sevens rugby md this has been detrimental to the 15s :ode.

The multitude of sevens tournaments hat are now held in the country and the lismal performance of the national [5-a-side team in recent years includ ng losses to Western Samoa and Tonga have fueled this criticism.

But the fact remains Fiji can play evens rugby. Their 22-6 over New Zealand in the 1992 final is testimony to his. On a water-logged So Kon Po pitch hey created magic and New Zealand vere left floundering. The Kiwis also lost he previous two finals to the fleet-footed r ijians- 22-10 in 1990 and 18-14 in 1991. fhe money will again be on Fiji this year.

On the field the players ducked and veaved, swerved and side-stepped to vin. It is now up to the Fiji Rugby r ootball Union to show they too can veave a little magic to make the Fiji nternational Sevens tournament a win ter.

Winning style: Fiji play Sri Lanka in Hong Kong last year