THIS Sunday in Wales, the FIJI Water Flying Fijians run out for their first Nations Championship match against the hosts in Cardiff.
For the past seven months, the Fiji Rugby Union has set the plans and moved the pieces to align itself with seeing the team take a front row seat amongst the biggest teams in the world as a tier one side.
And once the Flying Fijians run onto the field at the Cardiff City Stadium, they move the wheels of change in motion once the whistle blows for kick-off.
One person who has his own front row seat to the action will be the interim head coach himself, Senirusi Seruvakula.
Seruvakula’s grip on the coaching baton comes at a time when all eyes will fall on his ability to take the team to new heights in the championship with a seasoned experience built upon years of standing in the wings and waiting to be called forward to take up this role.
And for any player who wishes to march to the beat of a different tune to the one he has taught the squad, the crux of his words regarding it is simple – get out!
Our nation’s final squad for this campaign will be led by captain Tevita Ikanivere, who flew in from Japan after his first Japan Rugby League One season with the Mie Honda Heat and vice-captained by Frank Lomani and Temo Mayanavanua, both donning the white jumper after a long season with the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua.
The Flying Fijians have been preparing in Wales since their arrival last week, after extended long-haul travel in the air from Nadi to Hong Kong, and then to Heathrow International Airport in London, England.
Since their arrival in Cardiff, the team has had the opportunity to meet local leaders and also meet the Fijian community there.
Far from the familiar sandy shores and the sounds of home, the team is backed by a large Fijian community in the United Kingdom mostly made up of those working in the British armed forces and others employed in different sectors of work.
Their support will be the team’s 16th man and coupled with the tireless efforts of the FRU’s marketing team to drive in new fans and build a strong European fanbase for the Flying Fijians, it sets the stage for a opening fixture too hard to miss.
Fiji faces Wales at 1.10am on Sunday.
