“We’re all going to the World Cup.” Fiji Water Flying Fijians coach Simon Raiwalui emphasised the word “all” as his 39-member extended squad prepares to touch base and reconnect with ordinary Fijians on the streets and in the villages.
In the lead-up to September’s Rugby World Cup in France, Raiwalui is taking a different approach in terms of preparing the players and will try to involve every Fijian in the process.
The squad will assemble this Saturday with a meet and greet session in Dreketi, Vanua Levu, before travelling to Nukubalavu Village, Savusavu, to engage with fans.
From there, they will travel to Somosomo Village on Taveuni on Sunday for a 9am church service, following which the side will hold 3pm training sessions at Welagi Village ground on Monday and Holy Cross Secondary School on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the squad will visit Waitabu Village — home of Fijian Drua centre Iosefo Masi — and the famous Bouma waterfall.
The side will journey back to Holy Cross Secondary School ground on Thursday before a final meet and greet with villagers on Friday.
Raiwalui said the choice to travel to Taveuni came about from an experience two years ago.
“I think it was in 2021, we went there with the academy, and we go stuck there. We just saw what a great environment it was for a team to be in — away from social media, from your phones; reconnecting with the villagers and going to the waterfalls.
“It was a real eye-opener for me. “It’s Fiji but it’s away, and we really get to connect with who we are and what we’re doing.
“We haven’t travelled as a team; we’ve traditionally been based in Suva or in the West.
“I think it’s time we took our Fiji Water Flying Fijians out to the islands, the people and make sure we connect.
“As soon as I got the role, the first thing I wanted to do was go somewhere and be out of our comfort zone, to be where we’re from, who we are. The people of Taveuni are very excited
“We have one match in Fiji this year and that’s against Tonga in Lautoka (July 22). But if I ask the people to come to watch us, the team must connect with them first. “When we get back to the mainland, we’ll also visit the villages.
“We want to integrate and make this a family — this is not just the Fiji Water Flying Fijians, this is Fiji, we’re all going to the World Cup.”
Raiwalui will announce his final 33-member squad to the World Cup on August 8.
