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'It is not something to be proud of and it's an area that we are constantly working on'
Gareth Baber has targeted fixing Fiji’s disciplinary problems after his players collected 26 yellow and two reds cards in last season’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series triumph.
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Ahead of the opening leg of the new season series, which kicks off in Dubai on December 5, the Fijian boss revealed he wants to see better decision making from his players and limit the number of times they operate one man down during matches due to yellow or red card offences.
So frequently were they sanctioned that they ended the campaign tied with Tonga for the receipt of most cards during the series.
“It is not something to be proud of and it’s an area that we are constantly working on,” said Baber to RugbyPass. “You reflect on those yellows with the players and a lot of them came at crucial times under pressure.
“The natural way the game is played here in Fiji and how the boys have grown up means we have to educate them about how important it is to keep their discipline.
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“What makes it difficult is that I see sevens being refereed differently from 15s and I had several conversations with the boys after the World Cup in Japan.
“They sat there watching the matches and were confused by some of the decisions given in 15s. We have to adapt to the referees in sevens to be able to create pressure.”
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Celebrating the 50th year of sevens on Dubai, Fiji open their title defence against pool opponents France, Argentina and Japan in a series that has even more importance this season as the Olympic Games sevens in Tokyo next year makes it an eleven-leg campaign.
ICYMI:
“I’d turned up to the first day of pre-season and everyone’s having all their training kit handed out. My kit wasn’t there."https://t.co/05fnjO2dq2
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 21, 2019
Fiji are also the defending Olympic champions, having collected their nation’s first-ever medal at the Rio Games, defeating Britain in the 2016 final.
Paula Dranisinukula will captain the side in Dubai having recovered from a fractured leg and he lines up alongside Aminiasi Tuimaba, Vilimoni Botitu and Ratu Meli Derenalagi who each made significant strides in their first HSBC World Sevens Series last season.
Fiji will not be able to call upon the skills of Kalione Nasoko, their former captain, until March or April as he is still recovering from knee reconstruction surgery and is following a carefully planned rehabilitation programme.
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Fiji will bring all the power to the desert.
Don't miss them at the #Dubai7s on 5-7 December. pic.twitter.com/UqizChoh0H
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) November 22, 2019
With Fiji set to defend their Cape Town title a week after the Dubai opener, Baber added: “We want to make a fast start in Dubai but we know all of the teams have been doing their work in the off-season and can surprise you.
“We have done a huge amount of planning to put everything in place with the Olympic Games being the eleventh tournament.”
Fiji Sevens squad (Dubai and Cape Town)
Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Josua Vakurunabili, Isoa Tabu, Apenisa Cakaubalavu, Paula Dranisinukula (capt), Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Vilimoni Botitu, Waisea Nacuqu, Jerry Tuwai, Alasio Naduva, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Napolioni Bolaca, Kavekini Tabu, Terio Tamani.
WATCH: Nadolo, the compelling RugbyPass documentary on Fijian legend Nemani Nadolo
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
39 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
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