3 Mar 2017

Sport: Fiji 7s put focus on discipline

9:59 am on 3 March 2017

The Fiji sevens team have spent the past few weeks coming to terms with rugby's new tackle laws, in an effort to keep their players on the field.

World Rugby has brought in a tougher approach to dangerous tackling this year, with zero tolerance for reckless or accidental tackles that make contact with a players head.

Fiji coach Gareth Baber said Fijian players have grown up tackling a certain way and it can take time to make adjustments.

Fiji were knocked out early in Sydney.

Fiji were knocked out early in Sydney. Photo: World Rugby / Martin Seras Lima

He said yellow cards have proved costly for them in recent World Series tournaments and it's something they've worked hard to address for this weekend's event in Las Vegas.

"When you get in the heat of battle obviously you fall back on your habit," he said.

"Giving less penalties away and keeping more people of the field will be a big bonus and we know that and the players know it, but it takes a while for some of those things to become habit forming.

"So we've worked hard on that but, as I say, we did some great stuff when we were in Sydney and Wellington and I want to see more of that again."

Fiji sevens coach Gareth Baber.

Fiji sevens coach Gareth Baber. Photo: RNZI

Fiji have slipped to third in the World Series standings, behind runaway leaders South Africa and England.

The Olympic champions kick off the tournament in Las Vegas against Japan tomorrow afternoon and are also drawn with Scotland and Australia in Pool D.

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