Kiwis will come out firing in Dubai: Dere

By Sunil Sharma

Defending World Sevens Series champs New Zealand will come out firing in Dubai, says a wary Fiji 7s coach Alifereti Dere.

Speaking to FijiLive after the team's training session, Dere said the Kiwis after losing the final of the Gold Coast tournament will be a changed side in the United Arab Emirates and will surely be out to take revenge.

"We all know that New Zealand is a champion team and they have that consistency in them”, Dere said.

"They have a great coach and a good set of players and as defending champs of the series, they will work hard and will give the others a good game. Fiji will ofcourse be their target as we beat them comprehensively in Gold Coast."

"To tackle a team like New Zealand, we need to set our strategies right and improve in the weak areas."

“Rucks and mauls are two areas which we need to improve on as competition will be tough and all teams will be out to beat us since we are currently the leaders on the table."

He added that by rotating players, they will be able to give chance to all deserving players and at the same time keep their opponents guessing as their style of play and adaptation to the game will be different in every tournament.

Fiji is seeded top in pool A with Kenya, Spain and Scotland.

The HSBC Dubai 7s tournament will take place on November 30 and December 1.

FijiLive