Last dance

Fiji Times - Saturday, April 19, 2008 8:21 AM

JOSATEKI Savou must be hearing alarm bells ringing clearly if he plans to coach Fiji at the Sevens Rugby World Cup in Dubai next year.

Under fire from disgruntled fans for dismal results after six tournaments in the 2007/2008 IRB Sevens World Series, Savou will get the opportunity to make progress as coach of the Digicel-sponsored Fiji side for the final stanza of the series in London and Scotland.

This after the Fiji Rugby Union board endorsed recommondations by the its Games Committe and chief executive. The writing is on the wall for Savou produce the goods or head for the door and forget about Fiji's defence of the Melrose Cup next year.

"We want to make sure we put in place a strong management team for the 2008-09 IRB Sevens World Series and for the 7s Rugby World Cup next March," FRU chairman Keni Dakuidreketi said.

"We will assess the team and management on completion of the IRB Sevens World Series."

Positions for coach and manager become vacant in June. So the London tournament on May 24-25 and Scotland leg on May 31-June 1 will be Savou's last chance to prove his capabilities.

Quarters in the rugby fraternity have called for the prison warden to step down.

Under his term Fiji has sunk to new lows with no light at the end of the tunnel. Fiji managed to play in two finals - at Dubai and George last December.

After that Fiji has lost in the quarter-final at Wellington and San Diego before being bundled out in the semi-final at Hong Kong and Adelaide. The Fiji side sits third on the points table with 74 points. New Zealand leads with 126 followed by South Africa on 92.

The FRU on Thursday decided to retain Savou and manager Opetaia Ravai for the London and Scotland 7s.

The positions for coach and manager will be advertised after the two tournaments.

FRU chief executive Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua said the management team was retained in order to have consistency.

"We need to give them a fair go. Chopping and changing will not bring in any results," Tavanavanua said.

"I will again use the example of Gordon Tietjens who has always been supported by New Zealand and given a chance.

"It's just two more tournaments to go and after that we will have a full review."

Tavanavanua said the core of the players who featured in Hong Kong and Adelaide last month will again be front runners for the London and Scotland tournaments.

Savou said he was happy to be given another go despite critics venting their frustrations after the dismal performances to date.

"I am ready to give it another shot and do Fiji proud. I'm happy to have been given a chance," Savou said.

Meanwhile, Fiji is the top seed in Pool C for the London Sevens.

Fiji faces Australia, Canada and Portugal for the May 24-25 event.

Savou said while their pool was relatively easy, as usual not team could be underestimated.

Top seeds New Zealand have been handed a tough pool draw as they bid to close out their IRB Sevens World Series title defence.

The kiwis are drawn with Wales, Argentina and European newcomers Moldova for the seventh and penultimate event of the series.

In winning the Adelaide final, South Africa closed the gap on New Zealand to 34 points in the Series standings but the kiwis need just seven points from the London event - victory in the Plate (8 points) or a place in the Cup semi finals (12 points) - to tie up their overall title defence.