Fiji 7s

World Rugby has brought in a tougher approach to dangerous tackling this year, with zero tolerance for reckless or accidental tackles that make contact with a players head.

Fiji coach Gareth Baber said Fijian players have grown up tackling a certain way and it can take time to make adjustments.

He said yellow cards have proved costly for them in recent World Series tournaments and it's something they've worked hard to address for this weekend's event in Las Vegas.

"When you get in the heat of battle obviously you fall back on your habit," he said.

A new-look team featuring four Olympic gold medallists, five debutantes and three recalled former internationals defeated Samoa 28-19 in the men's final, having dispatched American Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Nauru and Tonga in pool play and Australia in the semi finals.

Interim coach Naca Cawunibuca said the team was on an extended honeymoon for a long time following their success in Rio.

But after spending only a fortnight together in camp, he said their performances at the weekend were encouraging.

The World Series champions will duke it out against the All Blacks, who are on an 18 match winning streak in test rugby, and Six Nations champions England.

Ben Ryan is also up for coach of the year honours, after Fiji successfully defended their World Series crown and triumphed in Brazil.

The Englishman was awarded the Companion of the Order of Fiji and gifted three acres of land, and the name Ratu Peni Raiyani Latianara, after helping the Pacific nation win Olympic gold.

A former Wales sevens coach and player, Baber will start his new job in January once his contract as coach of the Hong Kong sevens team comes to an end.

He said the opportunity to take charge of the World and Olympic champions was too good to pass up.

"As a developing coach you want to try and test yourself at the top levels," he said.

RNZI reports Hayne met with coach Ben Ryan on Friday and was told his time with the squad had ended.

Ryan said he could see that he was not going to have enough time remaining to make the final cut.

The former San Francisco 49ers running back got on the field as Fiji lost 26-19 to the USA in the third-place game. The Eagles had lost to Scotland in the semi-final, ending their attempt to defend the title they won in 2015.

Code hopper Hayne only landed in London on Monday, hours after quitting American football where he played last year as a running back for the San Francisco 49ers.

He cited the August Rio Olympics as his primary motivation for walking out on a lucrative NFL contract to link up with the world beating Fijians.

On arrival in London on Monday, Hayne claimed he was taking baby steps as he worked towards fulfilling his Rio ambition.

The Tabadamu speedster was named on Friday as one of two new caps in the Fiji team for next weekend's opening round of the new World Series.

The Fiji Rugby Union has since been informed that Waqavulagi has represented Sri Lanka at sevens and fifteens level.

Tabadamu’s Emori Waqa and Sevuloni Moce from Yamacia were this afternoon named in the side, which will play in Dubai and South Africa.

Ryan has also recalled former star and Nadroga’s Nemani Nagusa.

Osea Kolinisau will skipper the team and is joined by Jerry Tuwai, Apisai Domolailai, Emosi Mulevoro, Isake Katonibau, Kitione Taliga, Pio Tuwai, Savenaca Rawaca, Jasa Veremalua, Vatemo Ravouvou, and Viliame Mata.

The Dubai tournament will be played on December 4-5, with the Cape Town Sevens, a week later.