JONE Wesele will make history as the first coach to lead the Fiji Bulikula at a Rugby League World Cup — and he plans to do it his way.
There is no mistaking Jone Wesele on the training paddock.
A joke here, a laugh there and a few smiles from his players — but behind the humour is a coach determined to make history.
The Vatoa, Lau, native took over as Fiji Bulikula head coach in August and will lead the side into its first Rugby League World Cup in Australia this month.
For the 44-year-old former Fiji Bati player, the appointment is an honour, but also a responsibility to continue the work of predecessor Joe Rabele, who guided the Bulikula through the World Cup qualifiers last year.
Wesele has retained much of Rabele’s support team, allowing him to maintain the systems and processes that have helped build the side’s success.
His approach, however, is distinctly his own.
Wesele uses his humour to create an environment where players can relax, enjoy themselves and, most importantly, understand their roles.
He wants his players to know the system is not there to restrict them, but to give their individual skills and strengths a platform to flourish.
And with the Bulikula setting themselves the ambitious target of winning the World Cup on debut, Wesele knows the pressure will be enormous.
But pressure is nothing new to him.
“This is not my first World Cup. I’ve been to a few as a player, as an assistant coach and as a support staff. I’ve learnt a bit from here and there,” he said.
