Sport | Rugby
Champions Fiji hope to end Dubai jinx in new season
Champions Fiji will be aiming to start on a positive note when the new IRB World Series kicks off in Dubai tomorrow.
- By Steve Hill, Correspondent
- Published: 23:35 May 3, 2009
- Image Credit: Regi Varghese/Gulf News
- Maikeli Tokalauvere (centre) of Fiji attacks as USA's Jason Engelbrecht tries to snatch him during a game at the Dubai Exiles ground in April.
Dubai: Champions Fiji will be aiming to start on a positive note when the new IRB World Series kicks off in Dubai tomorrow.
The South Sea Islanders earlier this year broke New Zealand's six-season stranglehold on the crown with victories in four of the event's eight tournaments.
But Fiji have never won in Dubai, and after losing out to England in the last two finals in the traditional season opener, they're in the mood to cut loose.
Manager Opetaia Ravai said: "It's very important to us to win this tournament, it would set a trend for the rest of the season.
"In the past, we have not prepared well for Dubai and it has been our downfall. This year it has been a lot better, we have planned ahead and have been training together as a squad for a while. I really think we can do it."
Winning the IRB title for the first time resulted in national celebrations across Fiji. "It had eluded us for so long," added Ravai. "The feeling back home was awesome. We're a small nation and there were big celebrations.
"New Zealand had been great champions for six years, but what happened was good for Fiji and good for rugby as someone else won it."
The ever-green Waisale Serevi is again a vital member of the squad, while Fiji's hopes were further boosted when heir-apparent William Ryder linked up with his teammates yesterday after being delayed leaving Nadi Airport.
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