Opportunity for local-based rugby players

It’s crucial that provincial coaches and officials mentor the players’ in the right manner if they are to rise to the occasion

The onus is now on local-based rugby players to work hard and lift their game if they are to be eligible to play for the Vodafone Flying Fijians. This was confirmed by Flying Fijians head coach John McKee indicating that our participation at the Australian National Rugby Championship (NRC) provides that much-needed doorway for our local-based players.

The NRC is administered by the Australia Rugby Union and for the 2017 season, the 11-week competition is going to be contested by eight teams from around Australia- Brisbane City, Canberra Vikings, Country Eagles, Melbourne Rising, Perth Spirit, Queensland Country, Sydney Rays, Western Sydney Rams plus one from Fiji.

The NRC is the most important club competition for players in Australia following the Super Rugby season. This is where our local-based players are going to get a taste of what it’s like to play in a high class rugby environment against most of Australia’s Super Rugby players.

That means coming face-to-face with the likes of Stephen Moore, James Slipper, George Smith, Bernard Foley, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight, Samu Kerevi, Willie Skelton, Quade Cooper, Marika Koroibete, Sefa Naivalu, Isi Naisarani, Eto Nabuli, Scott Higginbotham and the list goes on.

McKee believes such exposure from the competition is going to motivate our local- based players to become better in what they do. This will in return help lift the level of the Skipper Cup and Vodafone Vanua competitions.

It’s crucial that provincial coaches and officials mentor the players’ in the right manner if they are to rise to the occasion.

That includes changing their mindset of being rated as second best, be ready to put in the hard work that’s required of them and take on any challenge that comes their way.