fiji are team to beat in rio
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Coach Ben Ryan:

Fiji are 'team to beat' in Rio

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Fiji are 'team to beat' in Rio

Fiji's Vatemo Ravouvou (R)
Singapore - Arab Today

Fiji are the "team to beat" at the Rio Olympics, coach Ben Ryan said Wednesday as he eyed sealing back-to-back victories in Singapore.

Ryan said the reigning world series champions had been buoyed by last week's Hong Kong Sevens win, but he also warned against overconfidence.

Singapore is returning to the world series this week as the eighth of 10 stops this year -- and with rugby's return to the Olympics looming in August.

"We did want to go to the Olympic Games as number one seeds... and we're happy with that favourites tag," Ryan told AFP.

"I know the history of Olympic team sports often means that the number one team in the world going into that Olympic sport often doesn't win but we still think we're better off being number one than number two.
"We'll put it out there that we will be the team to beat. Anyone that beats us will probably win the gold medal."

Ryan said Fiji also took heart from their record in three-day tournaments -- the Rio format -- after winning four out four in the past two years.

"If another team suddenly smashes the next three tournaments then that might change things," the Englishman said.

"But we've had four three-day tournaments, the same as Rio, in the last two years and Fiji has won every single one of them."

Fiji beat rivals New Zealand 21-7 in Sunday's Hong Kong final as they sent out a message before the Olympics and stretched their championship lead to five points.

"Confidence is high but we have to make sure we don't get over-confident... I'm keeping the pressure on the boys this week," Ryan said.

For Ryan and his men, an Olympic gold medal will have added significance given this year's cyclone disaster in the nation of 900,000 people.

Fiji is still reeling from super cyclone Winston in February, which left 44 dead, 60,000 homeless and crippled infrastructure.
"We've had players that have lost their houses, families that have lost their businesses. It's been a tough time, we now have food shortages and the cost of food has doubled," he said.

"It's tough and the boys will go back and do their bit and give their winnings to their families," he added.

"An Olympic win will go beyond rugby. That will boost all our younger athletes to think that if those 12 players from their villages can go to the Olympic Games, then why can't they do it in other sports?"
Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

GMT 06:41 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

what to do about Federer

GMT 02:16 2018 Friday ,19 January

Time for talks on players' welfare

GMT 09:30 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

We fear Sterling more than Kane

GMT 08:59 2018 Saturday ,13 January

'Russian skiers are clean'

GMT 01:58 2018 Tuesday ,09 January

US runner-up snubbed for Olympics

GMT 08:22 2018 Saturday ,06 January

He wants Murray 'back soon'

GMT 04:07 2018 Wednesday ,03 January

won't sell unless replacements bought in
Arab Today, arab today

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

fiji are team to beat in rio fiji are team to beat in rio

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

fiji are team to beat in rio fiji are team to beat in rio

 



GMT 23:45 2017 Tuesday ,17 October

Kerry calls for Syrian, Arab ground troops against IS

GMT 03:38 2017 Wednesday ,22 March

Somalia's new president names 26-minister cabinet

GMT 19:39 2017 Wednesday ,18 October

Gatland eyes New Zealand rugby jobs after Wales

GMT 12:08 2017 Saturday ,16 September

Dutch 360-degree beachfront painting gets public facelift

GMT 05:16 2016 Wednesday ,15 June

Scientists use underwater robots

GMT 02:41 2017 Sunday ,16 April

Pentagon confirms DPRK missile launch fails

GMT 18:00 2011 Thursday ,12 May

Attack on Celtic manager sparks inquiry

GMT 10:40 2017 Saturday ,30 September

Trump says to decide Fed chair in 2, 3 weeks

GMT 01:10 2017 Monday ,10 July

Islamic social media to be launched by year end

GMT 13:17 2016 Monday ,08 February

Russia shuts down 2 more banks

GMT 07:19 2017 Sunday ,31 December

Nepal bans solo climbers from Everest

GMT 10:48 2014 Saturday ,22 March

Parata launches new digital education portal

GMT 17:47 2017 Tuesday ,18 April

Saudi Shoura member in favor of women driving

GMT 19:07 2011 Tuesday ,19 April

Electric cars: night-time charging better
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday