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The world of Sevens is eagerly awaiting the return of William Ryder at this weekend’s Namibia Sevens in Windhoek. Ryder is part of the Fiji Barbarians side tipped as one of the favourites for the tournament despite missing numerous regulars from the usual IRB Sevens squad.

Ryder, long touted as an automatic replacement for the great Waisale Serevi, burst onto the scene during Fiji’s victorious 2005 World Cup Sevens campaign, impressing all with his speed and dazzling feet.

He quickly established himself as one of the most potent forces on the International Sevens scene but his presence in the abbreviated code as been limited in recent years hampered by injury, professional commitments in Japan and conflicts with Fiji Rugby officials.

With Fiji keeping one eye on the Mini Pacific Games, on 1-2 October, it is a largely second string side being sent to Windhoek this weekend all of whom will be looking to impress ahead of this season’s IRB World Sevens Series campaign starting in Dubai in December. Fiji's last outing on the Sevens circuit was a succesful one, retaining their Gold Medal at the World Games in July.

The Baa-Baas will be coached by Aisea Tuilevu at the weekend and have a favourable Pool with Spain and Zambia their opponents on Day 1.

Aside from Ryder the side will be captained by Nadroga loose forward Asaeli Boko, with pivot Lepani Nabuliwaqa and Nadi’s Joeli Lutumailagi also key players for Tuilevu.

Fiji Sevens head coach Iliesa Tanivula believes, Fiji can win the title if they use their talent well.

“Fiji has a star-studded side, all the players are experienced in the game. The Babaas have top players like Ryder and Leps (Nabuliwaga)

“They are up against Spain and Zambia, I do not know anything about those two teams but I am confident Fiji can defeat them and advance to the quarterfinals.”

Host nation Namibia has been drawn into Pool A with the current IRB Sevens circuit champions and many people's favourites South Africa and Tunisia.

Pool C consists of Argentina, Zimbabwe and Uganda while Pool D holds Samoa, Portugal and Botswana.

“Most of these teams will use the competition for the IRB Series in November so this is a great opportunity to gauge ourselves,” Tanivula said.

“Pool A and Pool D look tough. Fiji is lucky to have been drawn into an easy pool but it’s the quarterfinals that they will have to reply step up in,” Tanivula added.

Fiji Barbarians: Asaeli Boko, Mosese Vatunitu, Epeli Natuikata, Ratu Nemani Keavali, Lepani Nabuliwaqa, William Ryder, Vima Tuidraki, Joeli Lutumailagi, Suliasi Ramasima, Masi Naoma, Paula Karatu