VODAFONE Fijiana XV head coach Willie Walker says the team’s immediate focus is on building a strong foundation as they prepare for their upcoming Test against Japan.
Walker believes the work done so far is only the beginning of a long-term plan aimed at developing players’ conditioning, skills and decision-making.
“It’s just a continuation of what we started. We went back to basics, we stripped it all back to the fundamentals of rugby. We’ve just got to continue over the next two to three weeks to build on those aspects of the game,” Walker said.
The Fijiana would use the coming weeks, Walker said, to strengthen key areas rather than trying to introduce complicated systems that are beyond the team’s current capabilities.
“Our focus as we move towards Japan will just be to tidy up small aspects of our game. Again, we’re not trying to do things that are outside of our reach.
“We want to stay within what we can do and what we’re capable of. We just have to be more accurate around some of the decision-making and then the skill-set stuff.”
The coach stressed that accuracy would be one of the biggest areas of focus as the team continues its preparations.
“That’ll be one of the key focuses over the next few weeks, making sure that we stay accurate with what we’re trying to do, but we’re continuing to learn new things and we’re challenging ourselves at the same time.”
Walker, who is still getting to know the players and their individual strengths, said the program also provides an opportunity to identify and develop talent capable of progressing to the next level.
“Another exciting thing for me is that I come in with fresh eyes and an opportunity to try and see who these players are, where they’re from and hopefully continue to give players opportunities to thrive at that next level.”
With Japan ahead, Walker said the Fijiana’s preparation would remain firmly focused on gradual improvement, with conditioning, skill development and decision-making forming the foundation of their long-term progress.
