FIJI Rugby Union acting chief executive Koli Sewabu says consistency is important for the FIJI Water Flying Fijians as they move onto other Test matches lined up for this year. He shared these sentiments after they won 29-14 against Scotland in their second and final July Test at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva last Saturday.
“I think the key message now is consistency. You know, be able to complete at that level for longer periods of time and I’m sure they have it,” Sewabu said. This comes after Fiji’s victory against the Scots last weekend and their 18-21 defeat by the Australian Wallabies in Newcastle, Australia a fortnight ago. Despite the mixed results, the Flying Fijians have pulled in a new wave of formidable
strength, particularly since their elevation to tier one status recently.
The 32-member team assembled for those two Tests had prepared for their first Test against the Wallabies in only three days, however the performance produced by the match-day 23 may
have dimmed the home side’s victory. As the team fosters its continued traction to give the rugby world and tier one nations something to consider, Sewabu noted the development of ‘a good team
culture.’
“It’s now a good team culture that the team has developed, so I’m sure the next couple of weeks is a good time for them to take their break because a lot of them are playing in Europe and they
haven’t had a lot of breaks,” he said. It’s the case for the overseas-based players plying their trade for French Top 14 and English clubs, since they only joined the team in Newcastle in the days leading
up to their Test against the Wallabies.
Their chance to play in Suva last Saturday may be the only time most of them will play in the white jumper at home in the next three years, with club commitments, the Nations Cup next year and the Rugby World Cup in 2027 approaching.
