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Nick Jordan in Sigatoka

Army Green and Saunaka look the teams to beat in the inaugural Fiji Coral Coast Sevens with favourites Waimanu struggling on the opening day in Sigatoka.

Organised by the operators of the finest 5-star resorts on the Coral Coast, including Shangri-La's Fijian Resort & Spa, Outrigger on the Lagoon, Fiji Hideaway Resort & Spa, the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa and Sigatoka River Safari, the winners of the 24-team tournament will claim $20,000, the largest-ever prize pool in Fijian rugby.

On an even first day, with two draws and 18 other pool matches being decided by seven points or less, it was not a day for free-flowing Rugby Sevens.

However the competitiveness of the clubs striving for the major purse was evident thoughout, and with none of the 12-man national squad named by coach Iliesa Tanivula in attendance, it allowed local players the opportunity to shine on Lawaqa Park.

Top seeds Waimanu struggled to beat Wardens (Green) in the opening match and a determined Surprise Barbarians 10-5, however their win over Naviti 27-7 saw them top Pool A. Veteran Asaeli Naiteqe and former Fijian winger David Batiratu headline the Waimanu side who play FNU Lautoka in the Wau (Cup) quarter finals on Saturday.

Pool B was a topsy-turvy affair with each team losing at least once. Red Rock upped the ante to beat Namaka 38-5 in the final pool match and top the group over Lomavata. The Suva club play Warwick, who qualified as the best runner-up, in the quarter-final.

Lautoka and Warwick both went through with identical results and their position in the quarters had to be determined by the toss of a coin.

In Pool C the Army FTG upstaged their more favoured opponents edging Ratu Filise 10-7 and Uprising Beach Resort 17-14 before falling by a lone conversion to Intercontinental. That meant Ratu Filise, who had beaten Intercontinental 34-5, went through as the top qualifier after they beat Uprising 15-7 and they face Saunaka tomorrow.

The Wardens Gold team, coached by Jo Savou and fielding former Fiji Sevens cap Lepani Nabuliwaqa, overcame Sabeto 12-5, Warwick 10-5 and Gaunavou 14-7 to top Pool D. They play an Army Green side with former national reps Napolioni Naulia, Dale Tonawai and Iliavi Satala on board . Army made a clean sweep of Pool E with their 21-14 win over William Ryder's PWD Bure team following earlier triumphs over FNU Lautoka 19-14 and Nabua 35-7.

Pool F went down to the wire with the Ravuka Sharks, fielding speedster Joeli Lutumailagi, coming up short against Saunaka and missing out on the Cup round. The Sharks instead play Wardens Green in the Bowl competition while Saunaka's unbeaten run pits them against Ratu Filise.

The tournament began in friendly Fijian fashion with a march of the 24 teams from Sigatoka town to Lawaqa Park led by 70 travel agents from Australia and New Zealand who are in the region to experience the wonderful hospitality, warm weather and activities that range from jetboating to snorkelling.

The resorts also put on shuttles and hospitality for their international guests encouraging them to discover the passion for the national sport. A large crowd of locals, as well as visitors, is expected tomorrow with weather conditions likely to be hot with possible afternoon showers. Play begins at 10am local time.

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Nick Jordan is in Fiji thanks to Tourism Fiji and Air Pacific

Fiji Coral Coast Sevens - Day 1 Results

A: Waimanu 5 Wardens Green 0, Surprise Barbarians 14 Naviti 14, Waimanu 27 Naviti 7, Surprise Barbarians 29 Wardens Green 12, Waimanu 10 Surprise Barbarians 5, Wardens Green 17 Naviti 0

B: Lomavata 12 Namaka 5, Waqavuka 14 Red Rock 12, Namaka 12 Waqavuka 12, Red Rock 17 Lomavata 12, Red Rock 38 Namaka 5, Lomavata 17 Waqavuka 12

C: Ratu Filise 7 Army FTG 10, Uprising 21 Intercontinental 19, Ratu Filise 34 Intercontinental 5, Army FTG 17 Uprising 14, Ratu Filise 15 Uprising 7, Intercontinental 7 Army FTG 5

D: Wardens Gold 12 Sabeto 5, Warwick 33 Gaunavou 14, Wardens Gold 10 Warwick 5, Sabeto 19 Gaunavou 17, Wardens Gold 14 Gaunavou 7, Warwick 33 Sabeto 19

E: Army Green 19 FNU Lautoka 14, PWD Bure 19 Nabua 10, Army Green 35 Nabua 7, FNU Lautoka 26 PWD Bure 12, Army Green 21 PWD Bure, FNU Lautoka 31 Nabua 12

F: Ravuka Sharks 17 Mala Young Boys 14, Saunaka 26 Yalovata 0, Ravuka Sharks 22 Yalovata 10, Saunaka 22 Mala Young Boys 5, Saunaka 17 Ravuka Sharks 5, Mala Young Boys 12 Yalovata 10

Day 2 draw

Wau (Cup competition): Winner $20,000; Runner-up $7500; Semi-finalists $2500
Waimanu v FNU Lautoka
Wardens Gold v Army Green
Ratu Filise v Saunaka
Warwick v Red Rock

Tanoa (Plate competition): Winner $2000; Runner-up $900
Losing quarterfinalists from the Cup

Davui (Bowl competition): Winner $800; Runner-up $400
Lomavata v PWD Bure
Surprise Barbarians v Waqavuka
Ravuka Sharks v Wardens Green
Army FTG v Uprising Beach Resort

Lase (Shield competition): Winner $500; Runner-up $250
Mala Young Boys v Namaka
Intercontinental v Yalovata
Naviti v Gaunevou
Sabeto v Nabua