SHAPE up or ship out is the gist of Senirusi Seruvakula’s words for FIJI Water Flying Fijians players choosing to march to the beat of another drum.
This is after Times Sport asked the interim head coach recently if discipline, along with performance, was something he was hoping to implement strongly in the 32-member squad finalised for the first round of the inaugural Nations Championship in Europe next month.
“Yes, that’s something important. On the field and off the field, they already know the rules that I’ve laid down,” Seruvakula said.
“If you break the rules, you’re out straight away. I’m not going to give you any chance to stay on the team because you are useless for me at that time.
“We need someone else who can come and do a better job and (be more) disciplined than that player.
“If you break the rules, you are not going to be given any chances.”
He emphasised the players were aware of what was expected of them in light of their seasoned experience.
“There’s no chances because they are all grown up men, they’ve already been in the system for many years as a Fijian coming into this role, you do this or you’re out.”
Seruvakula’s selection for the July fixtures in Wales, England and Scotland sees the assembly of 32-member squad from clubs in Europe, Japan and the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua.
A key area where discipline may stem from are the inclusion of veteran players such as Peceli Yato, Levani Botia, Tevita Ratuva, Semi Radradra and Peni Ravai whose inclusions are expected to enforce the values Seruvakula aims to enforce due to their experience, work ethic and a firm commitment on achieving desirable results.
“They are veteran players; the reason they are selected (is because) they meet the criteria and they still play in top level rugby, they have been giving up big minutes in their game and they don’t have injury and why not?,” Seruvakula told journalists.
“They matched my coaching philosophy and that’s why I brought them back in.”
Fiji faces Wales in their first match at 1.10am (Fiji time) on July 5 at the Cardiff City Stadium in Wales.
