Ryan buoyed by Sydney Sevens result

Editor

Fiji Sevens coach Ben Ryan is confident his charges can reign supreme at the Rio Olympics following their performance at the Sydney Sevens.

While Fiji would narrowly lose to eventual winners New Zealand in the semi-finals, they would dominates South Africa to finish third.

"That's only the sixth game we've lost in 55," the Englishman told Reuters

"We still have an outstanding win-loss record. That's New Zealand with Rugby World Cup winners and full All Blacks in their ranks. New Zealand are a very classy outfit, so are we, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

"Barring Semi (Kunatani), our boys are all from the islands. We have under-cooked them from a fitness point of view, they'll be a lot faster and fitter come Rio. 

"But we go back to number one in the world, that was always our aim at the end of Sydney, being head of the series.

"The big picture's there. There's plenty of sunshine ahead."

Fiji are tied with New Zealand and South Africa on 69 points, but they top the table due to their impressive points difference.

The Sevens team are arguably Fiji's best chance at winning the nation's first Olympic medal.