FIJI Warriors hooker Jale Sassen has been rated highly by Flying Fijians head coach John McKee.

McKee feels Sassen has a bright future.

“He has come through the U20s program and also spent a couple of years in the Warriors program. He’s a player who can progress further,” he said.

The A-game displayed by the unbeaten Warriors in the World Rugby 2016 Pacific Challenge is proof that Fiji Rugby Union has a quality development program in place.

Local forwards have improved their game remarkably and it is now on par with the modern rugby overseas. The Warriors excelled in the rucks, their scrums were superb and lineouts even better.

“The forwards – I could see good improvement in the pack,” McKee said.

“At Warriors level, we have strong scrums and line-outs so credit to the work that has been put in there.”

At a higher level, McKee hopes the Warriors will improve their maul defence.

McKee said one of the highlights of Monday night’s triumph was the Warriors’ solid defence where players kept tackling nicely for a number of phases as Samoa A applied pressure. The Warriors hardly conceded an inch.

“It was a great defensive effort. Especially in the second half when Samoa had possession for long periods,” he said.

“The work we’re trying to do here is to get structures of play in line. We want the U20s, Warriors and Flying Fijians to have all the skills to play those systems.”

McKee also praised captain Peni Ravai, livewire halfback Henry Seniloli and number 10 Serupepeli Vularika.

“Henry, we know is a quality player. He played well in the Pacific Challenge series. I think in the long term Vularika will be good. Peni is also a good performer at loosehead and already he’s a Flying Fijian,” he said.