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Fiji Sevens coach Iliesa Tanivula believes there are no outright favourites for the IRB Sevens World Series title that starts in Dubai on December 4, but is confident in his side's chances.

Tanivula who took up the national coaching role last February, helped the side finish second behind South Africa in the 2008/09 IRB Series to take the runners-up spot in the overall standings. 

Finishing above the likes of New Zealand and England on last year’s circuit with wins at Hong Kong and Edinburgh proved a welcome recovery for the side who had struggled at the start of the season following the sacking of Waisale Serevi.

"We had a good momentum ending the last series," said Tanivula.

"We have just got to step it up this time. We have done the preparation. The boys have gone through some intense and strenuous training and we have done our part and have done the hard yards.

“Preparations have been fairly intensive. We’ve selected a strong team that we’re hopeful can deliver in Dubai,” added Tanivula.

Their last trip to Dubai for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in March was rather a disappointing one, with the Fijians being handed an unexpected quarter-final exit by Kenya. Fiji's last win at the Dubai Sevens came back in 2008 but Tanivula reckons that this will have no bearing on next week’s tournament.

“Regardless of our performance at the World Cup we’re always determined to win in Dubai,” he said.

Despite the strong finish to the IRB circuit, the national side failed to defend the Pacific Mini Games Gold medal in the Cook Islands last month losing to Samoa 38-12 in the final and Tanivula suggested lessons could be learnt – beginning with preparation.

Fiji have been drawn in Pool B along with Samoa, Scotland and Zimbabwe. They will be playing in the opening game of the IRB Sevens World Series, on Friday, 5 December against Scotland.

The return of William Ryder is sure to turn a few heads and give the Fijians a timely boost following the disappointment of the Pacific Mini Games. The squad has been together for several months and this could be the difference with the addition of 20 players that have been awarded central contracts earlier this month.

"The important part is to play well. We have been together for the last three months and we have achieved what we wanted at training with the bodies trimmed fitness wise.

“Every team will be tough. Honestly I think it’s impossible to predict but I think any opposition will need to be wary of every single player in our team,” said Tanivula, "

Fiji squad: Emosi Vucago, William Ryder, Lepani Nabuliwaqa, Vima Tuidraki, Pio Tuwai, Seremaia Burotu, Watisoni Votu, Niumaia Cakacaka, Jiuta Lutumailagi, Osea Kolinisau, Apisai Naiyabo and Setefano Cakau.