Fiji rugby

The hosts have maximum points after beating Tonga A and Junior Japan, and face Samoa A in today's final round-robin clash in Suva.

Tonga and Japan square off in the early match, with both teams needing to win big to draw level with Fiji on ten points.

They also need Samoa A to knock off the defending champions and deny them a bonus point.

Warriors coach Senirusi Seruvakula said they would not be letting up.

"We want to finish the competition on a high note and we're taking this game against Samoa very seriously."

The apparent snub came a month after Ryan had tangled with the Fiji Rugby Union over player payments.

However the FRU said Ryan had simply not been nominated by any local club affiliates.

At Saturday's event Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama paid tribute to Ryan and the Englishman was inducted into the Wall of Fame alongside Apakuki Tuitavua, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, Barry Sweetman and Pio Bosco Tikoisuva.

Sir Tietjens, who has been appointed the Samoan 7s team coach, revealed this in an interview with this newspaper last night.

"They were already at the top, they are already the best team in the world," he said, referring to the Fiji 7s team.

He made the comments in response to questions by this newspaper that have lingered in the minds of all Fijians where at one point he was rumoured to be one of the contenders for the Fiji 7s team coach.

Osea Kolinisau will lead the Olympic and World Series champions' squad, which includes fellow gold medallists Jasa Veremalua and Samisoni Viriviri.

Fiji Rugby Union CEO John O'Connor said even with some players overseas there is still a huge pool of talent available in Fiji.

"I am happy that we have been able to identify these players and bring them into camp to prepare them for the Oceania 7s," he said.

"They have shown a lot of progress in the two weeks of camp which proves their selection into the team."

The 44-year-old has captained Wales in the World Sevens Series, two Sevens World Cups, and two Commonwealth Games.

He is the current head coach of the Hong Kong men's and women's sevens teams, having been appointed at the end of 2013, and previously had stints as the assistant and then head coach of the Wales men's sevens team between 2005 and 2008.

Baber is a World Rugby level four Accredited Coach and also has experience in the 15-a-side game, including a spell as head coach of the Cardiff Blues.

The bid team, which is being spearheaded by Petero Civoniceva, will make their case to the NSWRL Board as they aim to enter the reserve grade competition next year.

The consortium earlier in the year hosted NSWRL CEO Dave Todden to present their case and the final hurdle is to prove they have the financial and corporate backing to stand on their own two feet.