I had sleepless nights says Tanivula November 20, 2009
Fiji 7s coach Iliesa Tanivula has admitted he had sleepless nights and found it difficult to name the team to the opening leg of the 2009/10 IRB World 7s Series to Dubai and George.
The former Auckland Blues player named his team to next months kick off earlier this week with Emosi Vucago and Seremaia Burotu leading the brigade.
“I have more than 30 players to choose only 15 for the first leg, it wasn’t easy,” he said.
“The hardest thing about it was that all these boys put in the hard work during training. They showed me commitment and dedication and pushed themselves to limits we set for them.”
Tanivula opted for experience for the first leg, all 15 players having represented Fiji in the past.
Making their comeback into the 7s scene is Lepani Nabuliwaqa and twinkle toes William Ryder.
“Now that they have been selected, onus is on them now to go out there and perform,” Tanivula said.
“The selectors and myself, we’ve rested our hope in them and trust that they will go out there and do us proud. The only thing we want from them is performance, a big ask but with rugby comes pressure – it’s the way one handles that pressure that makes all the difference.”
The team presented their i tatau today to Fiji president Ratu Epeli Naitalatikau.
“He wished the team the best, it is always encouraging when we come face to face with the head of state. It was a timely reminder to the boys and to me as well as the rest of the officials that we have a big responsibility ahead of us.”
The team jets out of the country to Sri Lanka on Monday for a 7s tournament before they head to Dubai for the kick off on December 4.
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