Fiji has Spain, France and Argentina in Pool C at the Cape Town 7s. Photo: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby
Fiji national sevens team coach Ben Gollings believes the new competition format introduced by World Rugby for the 2023/2024 HSBC Sevens Series is tougher than the old one used over the years.
Gollings, in Cape Town, South Africa for the second tournament in the series, told media that the new format demands that teams are on top of the game all the time.
The competition format replicates the Olympic model and sees the top two teams from each pool, plus the best two third-placed teams qualify for the quarter-finals from where it is knockout rugby.
The Fijian men's team finished fourth at last weekend's Dubai Sevens and Gollings said this weekend's tournament in Cape Town is another tough assignment.
Competition matches begin on Saturday (today), 9 December with finals set for Sunday, 10 December 10.
"All the pools are ruthless, we had that in Dubai," Gollings said.
"With the way the format is this year, we have to be spot on and we have to win every game."
Ben Gollings (file) Photo: World Rugby
Fiji has Spain, France and Argentina in Pool C.
Samoa men's are also chasing a top four finish at the event this weekend following their disappointing finish last weekend.
Lakapi Samoa said the team finished sixth at the Dubai 7s after going down to Ireland 5-28 in their final ranking fifth and sixth play-off.
The Samoa 7s team were knocked out of the Cup draw in the quarterfinals by Argentina.
They have a tougher pool this weekend, facing New Zealand, Australia and Canada in Pool C.
South Africa's Blitzboks will play Ireland, USA and Great Britain in men's Pool A.
Meanwhile, in the women's competition the South Pacific's lone representative, Fijiana 7s, has another tough weekend ahead.
The Saisi Fuli-coached side were beaten by France in the Cup quarterfinals in Dubai last weekend.
The are in Pool A in Cape Town alongside Australia, Japan and Spain.
Pool B sees the current Series title holders New Zealand together with Ireland, Brazil and Great Britain. France were impressive bronze medallists in Dubai and they will take on Canada, USA and the hosts South Africa in Pool C.