Fijians set to drive sevens revival

Jared Smith

It is interesting to see how the injection of island pace and flair into the world of rugby sevens is reflected right down the provincial line as the shortened version of the code is re-introduced into the Wanganui footy calender today.

Internationally one of sevens' true giants is, of course, Fiji, who have won the grandfather of all tournaments - the Hong Kong Sevens - a record 12 times since its inception in 1976, as well as the 1997 and 2005 World Cups.

Considered the true national side of their union, Fiji success in the abbreviated form of the game does not transpose into the 15-a-side version.

Although a current IRB ranking of 12th is encouraging, the only 'Tier 1' nation this keeps them above is Italy, the bunnies of the Six Nations.

Yet Fiji will always be a threat in sevens and stand as leading contender for the inaugural gold medal when the sport takes rugby back to the Olympics in 2016 for the first time in 92 years.

They could stand as the kings of the code given the IRB has indicated they will do away with the four-yearly world cup to make the Olympics the preeminent event in the international game.

You find similar inverted expectations down at the Marton Rugby Club today.

While Utiku Old Boys finished the Premier club competition with the clear wooden spoon, only getting a chance at the consolation semifinals when Marist pulled out, until an illegal player controversy put paid to that, there is much better expected from them in sevens rugby.

Fijian imports Samu Kubunavanua, Michael Nabuliwaqa, Semi Radradra and Malakai Volau joined the team earlier this year and like their brethren on the national stage, they are likely to make an impact given Utiku have been seeded second in Pool A behind Taihape.

Kubunavanua especially had a strong finish to the year as one of a handful of Wanganui Development players to earn their way into the Heartland squad and have real influence on Wanganui's recovery to win the Lochore Cup.

It will be awesome to see what these guys can do with more space and less defenders.

Kubunavanua's Heartland ascension came at the expense of Taihape's Jaye Flaws and Pirates' Clive Stowers being demoted to the bench, but both players should shine in this format and like the Fijians are considered strong prospects for the newly resurrected Wanganui sevens team, who will play the Hurricanes regional tournament in December.

Taihape and Pirates remain the top seeded teams today, with the country club showing signs of things to come back in February, when led by Flaws and new Wanganui sevens coach Tom Wells, they won the Pirates invitational sevens tournament on Spriggens Park.

It was obvious then a number of Taihape's key young men had bulked up during the off-season and their early success was mirrored by a much more competitive 2014 in the 15-a-side code, when they only just missed out on making the grand final.

I give Ruapehu, Marist and Kaierau the 'dark horses' tag - it depends on who is available from among their quicker stars, given a few of their Wanganui Heartland players were feeling the effects of a tough campaign.

In any case, it should be great day of carnival rugby, worth a look from 10am onwards.