Chris Cracknell backs Fiji for Commonwealth Games glory
Former England star Chris Cracknell has backed Fiji to add the Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens gold medal to their Olympic title when the world’s best battle it out on the Gold Coast this weekend.
Cracknell, who helped steer Fiji to glory in Rio in 2016 as assistant to head coach Ben Ryan, is confident they can follow up their recent victory at the iconic Hong Kong Sevens with a first ever Commonwealth Games gold medal at the Robina Stadium.
“I suppose the patriot in me wants England to be really successful and those boys certainly deserve from silverware after the learnings they have had from the Olympics and doing really well on the circuit,” explained Cracknell, who graced the Commonwealth Games stage in 2010.
“But I think it all points to Fiji. They have picked a strong squad and they know how to back up week in, week out because I know that’s what they train for.”
England face a tough draw alongside tournament hosts Australia, Samoa and Jamaica with only the pool winners progressing to the semi-finals. Scotland face and equally daunting task against current World Rugby Sevens Series leaders South Africa while Wales must tackle Fijians in the pool stages.
“The way that the pools are structured it really is tough, there is no second chance,” said Cracknell, who is currently coaching San Diego Legion in the USA.
“England are very strong with the likes of Ruaridh McConnochie and I think Tom Bowen was the only guy they couldn’t select from the full squad because of injury. They also showed their strength in depth by sending one team to Hong Kong and a different team to the Gold Coast.”
New Zealand, who saw their incredible run of four consecutive gold medals ended in a thrilling finale in Glasgow in 2014, are set to challenge once again but they must overcome an in-form Kenya fresh from back-to-back finals on the Sevens Series.
Cracknell also tipped Australia for a strong performance and expressed his sympathy for his friend and former rival James Stannard who was ruled out of the Games following a recent alleged assault left him with a broken skull.
“Australia on home turf will be tough and although they are missing Lewis Holland and James Stannard you can’t right them off,” insisted Cracknell.
“I am absolutely devastated for ‘Chucky’ because he is one of my oldest mates on the circuit and it’s a shame he’s missing another Commonwealth Games because he missed Glasgow as well through injury.”
Cracknell believes that Fiji, currently coached by Welshman Gareth Baber, are blessed with the kind of enviable talent that can propel them to another historic triumph.
“It’s still hard for me to look away from Fiji being successful in these big tournaments and I think they will ramp it up again this week in the Gold Coast especially with the calibre of player they have in their squad,” he said.
“The have guys like Semi Kunatani who is a special player, it’s the only way to describe him. He’s been fantastic for Toulouse this year, and guys like that should be playing at the Commonwealth Games because it only makes the profile of the sport bigger and turns everybody’s head.”