Coach of the Fiji side, Iliesa Tanivula is not making any bold predictions but remains quietly confident his side can produce something special at this year’s Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens.

“Preparations have been fairly intensive. We’ve selected a strong team that we’re hopeful can deliver in Dubai,” said Tanivula.

The former New Zealand Sevens player will be hoping his side can produce the same sort of form that saw them taking two tournament titles last season, having last won in Dubai in 1998.

Their last trip to Dubai for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in March was rather a disappointing one, with the Fijians being handed an unexpected quarter-final exit by Kenya. But Tanivula reckons that has no bearing on next week’s tournament.

“Regardless of our performance at the World Cup we’re always determined to win in Dubai,” he said.

“I think you’ve always got to be confident going into these tournaments but of course there are so many good teams these days that any one of a whole host of teams could win.”

Fiji have been drawn in Pool B along with Samoa, Scotland and Zimbabwe. They will be playing in the opening game of the IRB Sevens World Series, on Friday, 5 December against Scotland.

“Every team will be tough. Honestly I think it’s impossible to predict but I think any opposition will need to be wary of every single player in our team,” said Tanivula, whose team managed to produce tournament victories in Scotland and Hong Kong last season to finish second overall in the IRB Sevens World Series standings.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the Fijian team back to Dubai,” said Gary Chapman, President Group Services and Dnata, Emirates Group. “They only just missed out on a place in last year’s final when they lost in extra time to the South Africans in the semi-final and I have no doubt they’ll be aiming to go one better this year.

“With just a matter of days now to kickoff, the teams are starting to arrive and everything is in place for yet another wonderful Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, as we celebrate 40 years of the tournament this year,” added Chapman.

Tickets to watch the Fijian side in action are still available at The Sevens ground on the Al Ain Road, the Dnata Travel Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road and numerous Costa and MMI outlets as well as online through www.dubairugby7s.com and by calling Ticketline on 8004669. They are also now available at Go Sport outlets and through Souq.com.

For more details on the tournament, log on to www.dubairugby7s.com.