Defending Marist champs pass on knowledge

By Thomas Airey 14 February 2019, 12:00AM

Defending Marist International Sevens Tournament champions Auckland Marist Samoa arrived in the country on Wednesday to win their fourth consecutive title, but also to share their knowledge with the players at St Joseph’s College in Alafua.

The team held a coaching clinic there yesterday afternoon, and Auckland player Mosese Dawai said that was an important part of the trip.

“To share knowledge with the boys so they can grow their game as well, help them out.

“You don’t know, there might be the next Manu Tuilagi in this school.”

He said it was part of being a Marist as well, to help the school associated with tournament hosts Marist St Joseph’s Sports Club.

They had some time to train together after the clinic, in addition to their first training on Wednesday.

Most of the team lives in New Zealand, with a few players from Fiji as well.

Dawai said it was good to mix and mingle with them at training, since they don’t have a lot of time to get used to each other.

Despite coming in as defending champions, he said Auckland Marist Samoa know they have to work hard.

They have been drawn into a tough pool with four-time defending Fiji Marist Sevens champions Tabadamu and Iva White Lions, from which just one team will progress to the quarterfinals.

“They’ll be the team to beat in this tournament,” Dawai said of the Fijian side.

“The boys are not too worried about them, we’re worried about our own selves, and what we do.”

He said they are taking things one game at a time, so focussing on Iva first.

Auckland Marist Samoa will play Iva White Lions at 8:40am, before taking on Tabadamu at 3:40pm on Day One of the Marist Sevens at ACP Stadium in Lotopa.

By Thomas Airey 14 February 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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