Defending World Series champions Fiji are hoping to shake off the rust and keep their winning momentum at next weekend's Dubai Sevens.
Interim head coach Naca Cawanibuka has been able to draw on an experienced core, with six of Fiji's Olympic gold medallists included in their 14-man squad.
"It's been good to have the six senior boys here and we still have our senior management staff so in this transition period we are able to keep that momentum flowing from the last three years and obviously the Rio Olympics," he said.
"We've also recalled four players who have been part of Fiji sevens in the last three years. Three of them were part of the Olympic extended training squad and there's two new young players who come into the team for the first time.
"It's a transition phase for Fiji sevens but pretty much we've built on the platform that's been established over the last three years."
Fiji Sevens win gold in Rio. The first ever olympic medal for the country and the first Gold medal for the whole of the Pacific region. Photo: AFP
Cawanibuka said the team has only had a few weeks to prepare for the new season but he is confident they can keep the momentum going.
"This is the first step on this year's series, the Dubai and the Cape Town and I'm sure as the series progresses they will get to continue to improve their fitness levels and their game fitness," he said.
"After Rio they had a few months off so still a little bit rusty but we were really blessed to have that Oceania tournament (which Fiji won) and to come through that without any major injuries has been really good so now it's the start of the business end of the series."
Fiji celebrate winning the 2016 Oceania 7's title. Photo: Oceania Rugby
Naca Cawanibuka has kept in touch with former coach Ben Ryan but said the team will do things their own way this season and there will be some surprises.
"I can't let the cat out of the hat too much but you can still expect the trademark, free-flowing, high-risk, offloading game the Fijians bring to the park and with this new set of players, new combinations you will get to see some new things out there in Dubai," he said.
"But we won't let too many things out - obviously the season is long - but there will be a couple of new things we try and put out on the field in Dubai and Cape Town next week."
Fiji men's sevens team:
Nemani Nagusa
Sevuloni Mocenacagi
Emosi Mulevoro
Jasa Veremalua
Masivesi Dakuwaqa
Setareki Bituniyata
Waisea Nacuqu
Seremaia Tuwai
Kitione Taliga
Osea Kolinisau (Captain)
Kalione Nasoko
Joeli Lutumailagi
Samisoni Viriviri
Josua Vici
