Fiji Airways men’s coach, Gareth Baber, revealed the difficulties he faced taking up the position and filling the vacuum left by Ben Ryan after the Rio Olympic Games win in 2016.

Baber won only a title last season, compared to four this year, with London and Paris tournaments still to take place.

Baber says, he was aware of the challenges before taking over last year.

“I knew there is going to be difficulties. Any team that comes off the back of Olympic Games, then losses some of his senior players to overseas, contracts and then you lose captain just after the tournament last year, I mean any other coach will be looking at it and scratching his head thinking how’s he going to get through it.”

Fiji 7s captain Jerry Tuwai, says they trusted the coach and his plans which he set last year.

“We trusted him even though people were talking about him and the team. For my experience I trusted him and the process that he has put in for us and the new boys.”

Meanwhile, Baber will name a 14 member squad for the London and Paris tournaments next month.

There is chances he could rope in France based players, to test them before naming the extended World Cup squad in June.