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Fiji’s head coach Iliesa Tanivula will be without Vereniki Goneva for the 2009 World Games as it clashes with his new French contract at Pro D2 club, Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne.

"Most people will be disappointed with Goneva leaving but I support what he wants to do," Tanivula said. 

"If all these players in the squad leave for greener pastures, I will be very happy. I guess it's another rebuilding process with Goneva leaving."

"It doesn't affect the team, but he leaves a big gap in there. He has been very inspirational for the boys both on and off the field.”

However Tanivula said the World Games will serve as an ideal build up to the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series for all players involved.

"It is important to have a wider player base because injuries do happen," Tanivula said.

"That's something out of our control. Then there is a lot of travelling as well. The players get fatigued. We need to be able to control that and be smart about it. If we manage them well then we can achieve a better result in the series.

"If we have a wider player base then we can have good selection. This will make the players more competitive for positions in the team.

"That's really good as it lifts the standard of the game and the awareness of what we are trying to achieve."

Fiji are pooled with Hong Kong, Japan and Argentina in the World Games and will begin their campaign against Hong Kong on Friday. Tanivula is aware that despite being the reigning World Games champions, there will be no easy games in the tournament.

"All the teams are tough," Tanivula said.

“Hong Kong were very impressive in the IRB Series. They have some expatriate players. This will not be an easy tournament for us. The other teams will be targeting us since we are the defending champions.”

Delport joins Bok Sevens squad

Scrum half Paul Delport has joined the Springbok Sevens squad at the World Games in Taiwan as a late replacement for Vodacom Western Province full back Gio Aplon.

Aplon stayed behind in Cape Town to join Province's Currie Cup team when his national team mates left for Taiwan more than two weeks ago.

Like Aplon, Delport is an experienced Sevens international and a member of Paul Treu's contracted group of Sevens’ players and the head coach said his team's preparations have been excellent since their arrival in Taiwan.

"Our decision to arrive here so early was definitely the correct one because the players have adapted well to the extreme heat and humidity," explained the 2008/09 IRB Series winning-coach.

"We lost to Fiji in the final of the two previous World Games and this group of players are really hungry for success," said Treu.

South Africa play hosts Chinese Taipei in their opening match on Friday and this will be followed by two more group matches on the same day against Portugal and the USA.