Fiji's sevens teams will find out where they stand a month out from the Olympic Games, when the PacificAus Oceania Sevens kicks off in Townsville today.
Fiji sevens captains Tokasa Seniyasi and Jerry Tuwai are all smiles ahead of the PacificAus Oceania Sevens. Photo: Oceania Rugby
The tournament was organised as a final pre-Olympic hit-out for Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, with an Oceania Barbarians selection rounding out the numbers.
The Fiji men and Fijiana women both kick off their campaigns against Australia, this afternoon, before facing the Oceania Men and Black Ferns Sevens in the night session.
It's been over a year since Fiji competed on the World Sevens Series, while their domestic competition was cut short in March following the latest Covid-19 outbreak.
Fiji huddle up during training in Townsville. Photo: Fiji Rugby
Fiji men's coach Gareth Baber said the next three days were a chance to benchmark where they are against two very good teams.
"I'm sure the other teams will be thinking the same thing," he said.
"They've had the chance to play against each other earlier last month so there's a lot of unknowns and really just checking on where you are in terms of your progression."
The Oceania tournament will also mark the debut appearance of Fiji's new playing kit, after the Fiji Rugby Union signed an "historic" deal with global sportswear giant Nike earlier this month.
The Fiji 7s team will wear their new Nike kit in Townsville. Photo: Fiji Rugby
While defending their gold medal in Tokyo is the end goal, Baber said Fiji still wanted to win every time they take the field.
"You want to get into a winning habit as well. The intention is always to win," he said.
"There is other teams trying to do the same thing but the intention that we've come with the team is that we perform to get wins and we know that is the marker we are going for to establish that we are on the right path to where we need to to go to Japan.
"Having said that, as a coach I'm not naive enough to think that it just all goes your own way and you do have blips in what you're doing and ultimately you want to see the resilience of the group as well should that come about."
Fiji coach Gareth Baber watches on in training. Photo: Fiji Rugby
The Fijian teams have spent the past 11 weeks separated from their friends and family and Fijiana captain Tokasa Seniyasi said they were all supporting each other.
"The bond and the team spirit is very positive and all on the same page."
The rising star was excited for the Fijiana's first taste of international competition in 16 months.
"This is very important to us because we are meeting the two main teams, they are top in the World Series so it is very important for us to play against them in the Oceania Sevens Tournament."
Fijiana sevens coach Saiasi Fuli watches on during training. Photo: Fiji Rugby
The Fijian teams completed two weeks in quarantine on the Sunshine Coast last Friday and have spent the past week training in the Townsville sunshine.
Both squads received their second dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine last week.
Fiji Rugby Chief Executive John O'Connor thanked the Queensland Government and the Health Department for assisting the teams.
Gareth Baber said it was very important for them to get the vaccination and stay safe from the deadly spread of the virus.
"We are very thankful to everyone who have assisted us and after undergoing six Covid-19 negative tests it was important for us to be fully vaccinated."
With the growing number of Covid-19 cases back home, the Fijian squad urged all Fijians to take time out and get vaccinated.
All teams in Townsville will play each other three times over the next three days as they fine-tune preparations for Tokyo.