Baber, currently Cardiff RFC and Blues Academy Skills Coach, has been Wales Sevens Assistant Coach for the past year and coached the side to a Plate victory at last season’s Hong Kong Sevens while former Head Coach Dai Rees was unavailable due to regional commitments.
He said: “It’s an honour to be given the chance to take charge of the squad at these two tournaments. It’s also a challenge but I will be concentrating on continuing the work myself, Dai Rees and the players have done over the past two years. We haven’t been to these two tournaments before but we are looking to take a strong squad and we will be aiming to reach at least the Cup quarter finals at both events.”
Meanwhile, Dragons Head Coach Paul Turner will also travel to San Diego and Wellington in an observing role and in order to get a first hand insight into the modern day Sevens circuit.
He said, “I played Sevens in the amateur era but I have wanted to get a first hand insight into modern day international Sevens for some time. I have been given this opportunity as part of my WRU elite coach development.
“It will be great to gain an informed view on why we as regional coaches release our players to the Sevens circuit and what they gain in their development from the experience.
“I hope to learn a lot from the experience and will be happy to share my findings with other coaches and everyone involved in elite rugby development in Wales.”
