7s Desperate by osea bola Fijian 7s squad members in Sunshine Coast, Australia. Photo: FRU Media
2021-06-11
Is it worth the risk now to look offshore for players to beef up our squad for the Tokyo Olympics next month?
I don’t think so and it seems our 7s experts are hitting the panic button in our quest to defend the gold medal.
Despite the logistical nightmare which would take us to secure our players in Europe taking into account the current COVID-19 pandemic affecting the world, we seem to be the only one dared to make it happen.
14 June, 2021, 5:15 pm
The Fiji 7s rugby players players in a jovial mood as they prepare for the Oceania 7s tournament in Townsville, Australia, Picture: FRU
Logistics is the biggest hurdle that Fiji 7s head coach Gareth Baber needs to overcome in his bid to secure superstar Semi Radradra (Bristol Bears-England), Aminiasi Tuimaba (Pau-France) and Vilimoni Botitu (Castres-France) to be part of the campaign to defend the gold medal at next month’s Tokyo Olympic Games.
Radradra, Tuimaba and Botitu are the three overseas-based players Baber is targeting to form the core of the 13-member Fijian Olympics squad.
The trio are no strangers to the abbreviated code having played under Baber in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and the RWC Sevens.
Flying Fijians captain Semi Radradra will have a tough decision to make soon. He has to make up his mind on whether to lead the Flying Fijians against the All.
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The Fiji Times » Sevens plans – Baber wants to use top Fijian players fijitimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fijitimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.