Americans emerge as threat to champs Fiji
An expected cakewalk into the Cup quarter-finals has suddenly turned into a minefield for defending champions Fiji, who will come up against high-flying United States in their final pool game.
Fiji thought they had it easy being drawn with Thailand, Portugal and the United States in pool C. On paper it looked a cakewalk, that is until the Americans stormed into the Cup final at the Adelaide Sevens on the back of a shock 24-21 win over England in the preliminary round.
'For us it's not about defending the title, it's about getting there and trying to win all our pool games and hopefully progress to the elimination stages,' Fijian coach Iliesa Tanivula said. 'It is about getting through the work and winning, not about defending.'
After stunning England last weekend, the US proved it was no fluke by then defeating Wales 12-10, and Argentina 28-12 before losing the Cup final to Samoa 38-10.
'We had a pretty nice run [into the final] but we didn't play our best and they played really well,' said US captain Kevin Swiryn after his side reached their first-ever IRB Series Cup final.
'We just finished second in a World Series event but you still have that feeling of disappointment because you've lost. We're going to be up and ready [for Hong Kong], I just think we've got to build more,' Swiryn added.
Tanivula has impressed on his Fijian team they cannot take anyone lightly if they harbour hopes of winning the IRB Sevens title this season.
'Winning the series is still our goal, But winning the Hong Kong Sevens is always important for Fiji,' Tanivula said. 'The other teams are all trying to stay close at the top of the table.
'We have two more legs to go after Hong Kong and we need to try to improve on our results, keep on top of our game and keep within striking distance,' he added.
