Gareth Baber, the coach of the Fiji sevens team, provided a frank evaluation of the team’s performance at the Hong Kong Sevens tournament in his recent remarks. This tournament marked Baber’s debut with the team following the dismissal of former coach Ben Gollings. Despite achieving a commendable fifth-place finish, Baber emphasized the substantial work required, particularly in enhancing the team’s conditioning levels.
Upon reflecting on the tournament, Baber expressed his dismay regarding the team’s recent struggles, citing a third-place finish in Cape Town, as well as fourth-place finishes in Dubai and Perth, and a sixth-place finish in Vancouver and Los Angeles under Gollings’ leadership. While Fiji is presently ranked third on the HSBC Sevens World Series table, the team’s ultimate objective is to secure championship titles rather than merely finishing in the top three.
Baber underscored the crucial necessity for the team to elevate their conditioning levels and fortify their capacity to withstand pressure from their opponents. Despite a commendable conclusion to their match against South Africa, Baber acknowledged the imperative for significant improvements in order to propel Fiji back into the top four positions and contend for spots in the finals, a status to which they are accustomed, particularly in tournaments such as the Hong Kong Sevens.
The team’s letdown in their quarter-final defeat to New Zealand, where they relinquished a first-half lead, underscored the significance of effectively closing out games under pressure. Baber stressed the need for the team to maintain composure and minimize errors, particularly during pivotal moments of the game.
Looking forward, Fiji will concentrate on their preparations for the forthcoming tournament in Singapore, aspiring to make substantial advancements based on the insights gained from their recent performance in Hong Kong. With a mere 16 weeks remaining until the Olympics, there is immense pressure for Fiji to recapture the top position on the podium.
Baber’s assessment clearly reflects the team’s resolve to rise to the occasion and meet the lofty expectations set for them. Although the path ahead may pose challenges, it is evident that Fiji, under Baber’s guidance, is prepared to confront these challenges and invest the requisite efforts to achieve success on the global stage.