WITH the sea of colours to the roar of the fans, the Canada 7s got underway at the B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver.
The 2022 World Rugby Seven Series welcomes a full strength slate after Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, France,Japan and Samoa withdrew in the wake of rising Covid-19 cases last year.
With the repealed restrictions, sevens fervent turned up in the thousands.
Flag-bearing Fijian fans draped in fancy costumes sang and danced to make the biggest noise on the Day 1 of the event.
Fiji, polished from last weekend’s Singapore 7s win, won all their group matches and looks like the team to beat after day one performance.
HSBC commentator Karl Te Nana believes Fiji with its Day I form has a good chance to win its first back-to-back championship.
Te Nana says he sees a lot of quality in the team, who play like season campaigners.
“Fiji was at its best on Day 1, but on Day 2, the championship was won.”
“Fiji’s defense is playing really well, they need to keep it that way, starting with France game in its first Cup Quarter Finals.”
Ben Gollings, Te Nana said, has the team that can win it all and that would be a record as Fiji has not won a back-to-back championship.
“Double would be something.”
