LEARNING the basics and implementing them is the word of advice from former Flying Fijians captain Pita Nacuva, also known as Pita Kewa, for the FIJI Water Flying Fijians’ July Tests from next week.
The former captain who led Fiji against the All Blacks in 1980 and former Speaker of the House of Representatives stated this in an interview with this newspaper, as a build-up to the first Test against the Wallabies next Sunday.
He shared how the basics could be simplified into three key areas: position, possession
“They’re starting about pace, they’re not talking about the position. They’re very careful with their position, the way they catch the ball and run,” Nacuva explained.
“So I’m saying this because for those who are playing in a week’s time, they better think about the basics: position, possession and pace.”
He also reiterated the willingness of players coming in to don the jersey to do so with the notion of service in mind.
“I want to say that because for people who are coming in to play rugby, you are here to serve,” Nacuva emphasised.
“But when you serve, you serve to the best of your ability. I did that in rugby, in volleyball, in other social lives, and in government.”
While the Flying Fijians have an upper hand over the Wallabies since they defeated them 22-15 in their previous meeting in the pool stages at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, Nacuva said the onus was on the players to perform their roles well.
“Well just put aside the idea of who they’re playing against. It’s just a question of making sure that I as a first-fiver, I as a half-back, I as a wing, what should I do when I receive this ball and run?,” he stressed.
“This comes back to those three basics.”
The Flying Fijians will face the Wallabies at 3.30pm next Saturday in Newcastle, Australia.
