DUBAI // The frustrations of the Fiji coach, Waisale Serevi, at not being able to pick himself for the World Cup Sevens have been exacerbated by the fact the Fijian selectors do not seem keen on many of his other choices either. Serevi, 40, led the flying Fijians to two World Cup wins as captain, and they will head to Dubai as the defending Melrose Cup champions. He is worshipped in the Pacific Islands, but, despite his idol status, his relationship with the Fijian Rugby Union has been fraught.
He left his role as player-coach of the national team in 2007 to manage the minnows Taiwan instead, only to be welcomed back at the start of this season. However, the terms of his new deal stipulated that he hang up his boots for good, a clause to which he reluctantly agreed. Now he has clashed with the union again over the squad which was named for International Rugby Board (IRB) tournaments in New Zealand and USA this week. They disregarded a number of players he favoured, to which Serevi reportedly responded: "I don't know what was going through the selectors' minds."
Fiji are fourth in the IRB Series standings, 16 points behind South Africa. Serevi is unsure what his final squad will be for the World Cup in Dubai, an issue which is muddied further as he will be afforded barely any preparation time with his overseas players. He said: "We want them here in mid-February so that we can see how they are doing. We are the world champions and the Melrose Cup will be tough to defend. It is tougher because Fiji sevens fans want to win all the time.
"Everyone expects us to win again. There have been a lot of comments, both negative and positive, but I keep telling the players to concentrate on what they are doing." Paul Treu has recalled the speedy winger Howard Noble, who played for the Christina Noble charity side in the 2006 Dubai Sevens, to his South Africa side for the next two legs. Charlie Simpson-Daniel, who made his Dubai debut for Stefan's adidas BHF in the International Invitational tournament in November's Dubai Sevens , has been drafted into the England sevens squad.
pradley@thenational.ae
