Team has come a long way: India Rugby 7s coach

“It’s great to be playing in the Commonwealth Games and pitched against some of the world’s best,” he added.

Usaia said with most of the team members having vegetarian diet,building the body to withstand the rigours of the game has been a different kind of challenge.

“We had to teach them about diet and what to eat. About how to build their bodies and their muscles so they feel strong. We take them to the gym and give supplements. They must eat four meals a day,” he said.

“But they don’t mind (telling all these) and they cope. We really train hard. Sevens is a very fast sport and so they need energy,” he added.

Former medallists return to Rugby Sevens event

New Delhi: Only two former medallists are participating in the Commonwealth Games’ Rugby Sevens event currently in progress at the Delhi University ground.

All Black loose-forward Liam Messam was a late call-up for New Zealand. He had played a key role in securing the third gold for his side in Melbourne four years ago.

He earned a call-up for the trip to India after fellow All Black Adam Thomson was ruled out with an injured foot.

England’s Ben Gollings is the other medallist,who had helped his side win silver medal in the Melbourne Games.

Gollings,who made his international Sevens debut in 1999,was the game’s highest points scorer in the last edition.

Gollings also holds the record for most points scored in an international season with 332.

Probably the biggest star currently playing at the CWG Sevens event is Samoan Mikaele Pesamino,the Player of the Year last season.

The speedster,who clocked 10.3 seconds running the 100 metres,scored 56 tries in the past international season for New Zealand.