FORMER Flying Fijian rep Seremaia Bai says there is no system in place to stop the player drain to overseas countries.
In recent years many Fijian rising stars had been poached by overseas agents and clubs.
Some of the players had turned their back on Fiji to represent their adopted country.
Nathan Hughes, who attended Saint Thomas High School in Lautoka, is the latest Fijian to change his allegiance.
He represented England against Fiji at Twickenham last month.
He was scouted by Kelston Boys High School’s physical education head of department, Athens Henare when their under-16 side played against Saint Thomas High School in Lautoka in 2008.
Kelston offered Hughes a partial scholarship in 2009 based on his education and rugby ability, physical attributes and family connection in West Auckland, New Zealand.
He went on to represent the Auckland U18 secondary school team before moving to England.
Bai said the reality was that this could not be stopped.
“They need to look after themselves and their future,” the former international fly half said.
“We do not have a program or a system in place to retain them. The reality is that they are going to what is good for them and their career. If we try and keep them all here, in terms of exposure, you can’t do anything. That is their decision.
“At the end of the day, we only hope that they come back and play for Fiji and make our pool of players much stronger. There are a lot of our players representing clubs overseas.”
Fiji will play Italy, Scotland and Australia in Test matches next year.
Bai, who was the national kicking coach for the recent Northern tour of the Vodafone Flying Fijians, said the players clicked late during the tour.
“We started to click during the Japan game,” he said.
“We need to stay together a little longer to know the game plan and the calls because the players come from different clubs. It is a responsibility where you take ownership and try to learn as much as possible over the period of time. But still you can’t be successful in a few days.
“If they play for the clubs, it is better for them because they are in condition in terms of contact fitness which is a win, win situation for us.
“For us getting Test matches against three Tier One nations is very good. It is very rare to get this type of matches.”
