Sevens king Serevi reigns supreme

WAISALE SEREVI was shouting for Ireland when they played England in the Grand Slam decider recently.

The Fijian, one of the greatest players in rugby and without doubt the best in the sevens game, believes Ireland have a realistic chance of making an impact in the forthcoming World Cup despite the one-sided nature of the Dublin game.

"I thought they were unlucky to lose by such a big margin. I don't think it reflected the ability of the team.

"Ireland are much a better side than the result showed. Any side capable of beating Australia, Argentina and ourselves, Fiji, in the space of a few weeks, have to be given full credit for their achievements.

"I think Ireland are a brilliant team and can only get better with experience. They will have a few more games together before the World Cup and can use that to their benefit."

Right now, however, the 34-year- old genius is in Kinsale for this weekend's Heineken Sevens and he will be the main attraction on an attractive bill.

Serevi will play with the South Seas Drifters, a team that has competed in several of the tournaments over a 15- year period.

He hadn't met his team colleagues on his arrival in Ireland yesterday, but headed immediately for Kinsale to partake in a training session with the squad, London-based, but mostly of Fijian origin.

As a former winner of a Sevens World Cup medal with Fiji and triumphant on many occasions with his country in major events throughout the world, Serevi is looking forward to getting back to basics.

"I was approached late last year by the organisers of the Kinsale Sevens and they impressed me with their enthusiasm," he said.

"Okay, it is not Hong Kong where you play in front of up to 40,000 people, but I am looking forward to the tournament because I believe it is really getting back to basics."

He also expressed his thanks to his club in France for allowing him to participate in the competition.

The Heineken Kinsale Sevens has grown in stature over the years and many top class players have come to take part.

In the context of sevens rugby, however, there is nobody that can touch Serevi a class act, a magnificent player and a born entertainer.