The Taiwan national 7s team will add international flavour to next month’s Double Ten 7s after accepting an invitation from the Taiwan Trade Representative in Fiji to be part of the event.

Coached by former Fiji 7s great Tomasi Cama, Taiwan has just returned from playing in a tournament in Sri Lanka and were due to come to Fiji for a training stint.

“I’d initially invited the team to play an exhibition match but they wanted to participate in the tournament,” Trade Representative Sherman Kuo said.

A keen fan of Fijian rugby, Mr Kuo believes the rugged way the game is played here could be a problem for his countrymen.

“The Taiwan national 7s team have a lot of international games ahead of them, and playing in Fiji will leave them open to injury, knowing the full force and strength of Fijian rugby."

However, he believes the presence of the Taiwan team, competing against the best players from within Fiji, will add greater significance to the event.

“The participation of the Taiwan national side adds to the dual celebration of the Fiji and Taiwan National Days, 10 October, hence Double Ten.”

The Double Ten 7s will be held Saturday 7 October and will be contested  by 16 teams – 12 major union teams, Taiwan and three teams made up from players from the national sevens training squad.