Qatar coach Usaia Biumaiwai believes his team have all it takes to win the 11-nation Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy which will be played this Thursday and Friday in Doha.
Fijian Biumaiwai, who has been in Qatar since 2015, was talking on the sidelines of a team practice session at Aspire Zone ahead of the two-day tournament that’s just around the corner.
“Preparations were scrappy a couple of weeks ago, but this week, we trained as a whole team and we have been making a lot of progress. Our team is now looking good,” Biumaiwai told Gulf Times. Along with the 55-year-old, a few Fijian players too joined him in Qatar.
The likes of Iliesa Rakabu, Isireli Biumaiwai, Jope Tikomaileponi, Pita Beracibi and Orisi Sareki have joined the coach here but none of them will be wearing Qatar colours this tournament, which gives the winners a shot at making it to the Rugby World Cup 7’s in 2018.
While the qualification rules don’t allow the Fijians to play for Qatar in this tournament yet, Biumaiwai is not worried.
“It is not concern. The boys have been playing with the Fijian boys, and have been getting better at playing the Sevens. As a format Sevens is very new here in Qatar, and playing that is different from the XVs. The Fijians are here to help prepare the rest,” he said.
“My job is to use the players I have and make sure they improve and evolve. You can’t depend on the Fijian boys only. You have to show improvement with the local boys.” The 12-man squad has a good mix of expats, who call Qatar home, and nationals – wingers Rakan al-Mutawaa and Abdul Kareem al-Muhannadi, and forward Mubarak al-Malik.
Al-Muhannadi and al-Malik made their Sevens debut in 2006 when Qatar hosted the Asian Games.
“I came here in 2015, and I have seen the local boys improve a lot,” he said.
Qatar have been drawn in the same group as the Philippines and Nepal.
Asked about the team’s preparation for the pool phase, he said, “I have been in Asia for 16 years now, and know all the teams. The Philippines are a good team and I have told the boys that we should not be underestimating any of the teams in the tournament. All the teams are prepared well and we should treat each game as a final.
“We have a few big forwards and that is our advantage, and style. Idea is to run straight at them, use offloads and break the opposition’s defence line.”
As much as he would like to prep the team for the big games, especially with the likes of Singapore and Thailand also in the tournament, Biumaiwai is all for taking baby steps.
“I don’t want to think about them. It will only put you under a lot of pressure. There are two things: first, every game is a final, and two, look forward to a game when you get to it. As of now, pool games are the focus, top the pool and then think about the later stages. Though, winning is our goal and I think it is possible,” he said.
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