World Ranking: 9.

COACH: Brad Johnstone. Only recently been appointed full-time coach of the side, having done the job part-time for the last year and a half, Johnstone has inherited a side who were one of the best in the world at seven's rugby. The former All Black has now moulded the talented but under-achieving side into something resembling a serious unit. His first project was to teach the Fijians how to defend, probably for the first time in their history.

TACTICAL TURN: Being a top sevens rugby side implies a prodigious amount of natural ball handling ability, speed and athleticism. Players such as fullback/ winger/out-half Waisale Serevi, hooker Greg Smith and winger Fero Lasagavibau will have to play their best but so too will the team as a whole need to show discipline in defence and generate some consistency. This has not been evident in their results this year but if Johnstone can settle the side, their overall attacking instincts will do damage to good sides.

STAR TURN: Waisale Serevi. The world's finest sevens exponent will be expected to make a huge contribution. A wonderful runner and distributor of the ball, Serevi will be closely marshalled. His speed, though, is difficult to cover and if Fiji can create space for him, there are few who can match this wonderful athlete. Even in tight games Serevi will take risks running from deep in his own half. A pleasure to watch and effective, too.

VERDICT: Fiji face Namibia in the first match of the pool, which should give them an opening victory and a foothold on the group. They then face Canada in the second match before the heavyweights France come into the picture. That is a good draw for the side who could sew up a quarter-final place after two games. Because morale is so good and loyalty to coach Johnstone very high, Fiji might be the dark horses in the competition if they can hold their defence together. Scoring is no problem and a quarter-final slot is a strong possibility.

FINAL THOUGHTS: "It's wonderful, so great to be back in the World Cup. We are delighted and can assure you that it will be an exciting Fijian team that will be par- ticipating this time."

- Pita K Nacuva (team manager).