FIJI Rugby Union Chairman and former Flying Fijians number eight John Sanday is backing the Fiji Water Flying Fijians’ back-row trio to play a crucial role against Wales tomorrow morning at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Sanday stated that Fiji has always produced world-class loose forwards who have made their mark on the sport.
Players such as Rusiate Vuruya Ratu in 1951, Ratu Aca Soqosoqo in 1964, Rupeni Qaraniqio in the 1970s, Vuata Naresia in the 1980s, and many more have paved the way for the current crop of loose forwards capable of creating their own legacies.
“The loose trio named for the match against Wales — Elia Canakaivata, Kitione Salawa and Pita Gus Sowakula — could just be the trio that shapes the outcome of the game,” Sanday said.
“I am looking forward to another blockbusting and honest game from Canakaivata, Sowakula to be impacting in the line-out and turning up quickly in support play whilst Salawa grows into the jackalling role he is becoming really good at.”
Sanday highlighted Sowakula’s ability to link up with the backline and ignite counterattacks as a critical weapon, particularly against structured sides like Wales.
“This battle (back row) is very crucial for Fiji as our breakout and unstructured play usually comes from back-rowers gathering loose balls and opening up the play with open running and Fijian-style support play, which usually results in classic tries,” he said.
“I am looking for Sowakula to be the spark for these breakout moments.”
For the chairman, Fiji’s rivalry with Wales goes beyond results on the field; it became a turning point in his rugby career that continues today beyond the glories of the pitch.
“It had always been a childhood dream of mine to be a Flying Fijian and after my Tavale (cousin) from the village took me to watch the Wales versus Fiji test match in 1969, held at Buckhurst Park, the dream was planted in my young mind then,” he recalled.
“I wanted to be like that, which became my aim until I was selected in 1986. I made the Fiji team again in 1987 and made the final cut for the team to the first-ever Rugby World Cup tournament in New Zealand in 1987, where we made history.”
The Flying Fijian’s will take on Wales this Sunday at 1.10am at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff Wales.
