The Vodafone Fiji Bati side is licking its wounds after being smacked 50-0 by England seven days out from the Rugby League World Cup.
The Jo Dakuitoga-coached side will need to regroup and take stock of the positives, if any, in their preparation to the opening RLWC match against defending champion Australia at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on October 15.
There were nine different tryscorers for England as the home side led 28-0 at half-time.
The Bati, who were semi-finalists in each of the past three RLWC tournaments, will need a drastic improvement if they are trouble Australia.
They rarely looked capable of breaching England’s watertight defence and their misery was compounded by injuries to Brandon Wakeham, Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu and Kylen Miller.
“There’s not much to take out of it,” admitted former Leeds coach Brian McDermott, who was in the Fiji coaching box.
McDermott said he was asked by Fiji coaching director Dave Furner to step in his absence to provide valuable experience to the backroom team.
“England were very good. We gave them some opportunities but they exploited them really well. They’re in good shape,” he said.
“I’ll look at it again to see if there are any positives but they’re hurting. It was a really disappointing performance and they know it.
“If that’s how ugly we can be, we work on that. It’s important we stick together. In my short time with the players, it’s a very tight group and they’re loyal to each other. I stepped in with not much notice but in a few days I’ve found it’s a fantastic group, who work incredibly hard and I’m looking forward to the next few weeks.”
Fiji will be boosted with the experienced hands of Panthers forwards Viliame Kikau and Apisai Koroisau, and Parramatta winger Maika Sivo.
The side faces Italy at Kingston Park, Newcastle on October 22 in its second RLWC match and Scotland sevens days later at Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens.
