World Rugby Sevens Series
Ben Ryan: Fiji relishing favourites tag ahead of Rio 2016
ESPN Staff
April 13, 2016
© AFP / ISAAC LAWRENCE
Fiji Sevens coach Ben Ryan says his side are the team to beat ahead of Rio 2016.
It will be Sevens' first exposure to the Games and Ryan's Fiji will be one of the front-runners to win gold. Fiji have competed in 13 Summer Games to date and have never won a medal but Ryan predicts this could change come August.
Fiji are currently top the World Rugby Sevens Series and won the recent Hong Kong leg. With the Singapore Sevens lying in wait this weekend, Fiji will be looking to secure their fourth tournament win this season and Ryan wants his side to continue setting the pace ahead of the Games.
"We did want to go to the Olympic Games as number one seeds... and we're happy with that favourites tag," Ryan said. "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."
© (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
One factor which bodes well for Fiji's chances is their record in three-day tournaments like Hong Kong. Some legs of the Sevens Series are played over two days but the Games will be played over three.
"If another team suddenly smashes the next three tournaments then that might change things," Ryan added. "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."
In team news ahead of the Singapore Sevens, All Blacks flanker Liam Messam has been named New Zealand's captain following Tim Mikkelson's injury and the decision to rest DJ Forbes. Isaac Te Aute is in line to make his debut.
© ESPN Staff
Ben Ryan: Fiji relishing favourites tag ahead of Rio 2016
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