Hong Kong Sevens 2022: Fiji’s young stars have ‘big shoes to fill’ – but are already soaking up the big occasion
- Islanders are gunning for sixth Hong Kong title in a row and start their campaign on Friday with a 59-12 victory over Japan
- ‘They grow up watching it and seeing so many of their heroes play and now this is their time,’ head coach Ben Gollings says
Japan gave Fiji a scare on Friday night as the islanders opened up a campaign that is aimed at a sixth consecutive Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens title. It lasted about 10 seconds.
After Taisei Hayash had crossed wide and left for an opening try scored basically from the hooter, the Fijians proceeded to do what the Fijians so often do at the Hong Kong Stadium. They took control.
Play resumed and Viwa Naduvalo quickly got the ball in his hands and he bullocked his way over the line, and all was right with the world, as the final scoreline read 59-12.
Ben Gollings is their coach as they seek to add to their legend this weekend and the Englishman has carved a few of his own here, four titles coming with England along with his position as one of the Hong Kong event’s “Magnificent 7s”.
He was delighted with the start and knows harder tests are ahead – the first of which looms against Pool C rival USA on Saturday afternoon.
“I wasn’t the best way to get into it but it’s sevens,” he said. “I think the key is to just get the ball back and control the ball, and if we control the ball we can control the game. It’s good for us to handle that pressure and a bit of a learning curve.”
