McKee: We Need To Be Focused
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians head coach John McKee says, playing Georgia this Saturday will very crucial in their build-up towards the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
The Flying Fijians and Georgia are billed in Pool D of the 2019 RWC along with Australia, Wales and Uruguay.
Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, McKee said they would have to be focused in their approach as the Georgians have already beaten them in Suva during their 2016 tour. He indicated that players who have missed out on the Samoan game would be considered in this most important clash.
“The players who joined the squad later in the week and were not available for selection against Samoa will be considered for selection this week,”
This includes the likes of Montpellier pair Nemani Nadolo and Timoci Nagusa along with London sevens star Semi Radradra and France-based prop Peni Ravai. “We have a lot of lessons to learn from our game against Samoa. Some of our decision making on the field will need to be improved and we need to play to our game plan. We gave away so many avoidable penalties so we need to rectify that.”
Other concern was the yellow card offence where captain, Akapusi Qera, Jale Vatubua and Eroni Mawi were sinbinned. McKee said the RWC is a long way away and at the moment and they are focusing on the game against the Georgians.
He believes in the current squad and the fact that players have put on a good performance. “They are some players who are unavailable during this June series due to injuries. If they show good form they will put pressure on those that are here and we could have a good team at the World Cup,” McKee added.
GEORGIA READY
Georgia coach Milton Haig is expected to field a full strength side against the Flying Fijians on Saturday.
The Counties Manukau native from New Zealand in an earlier interview said they are here to beat Fiji and repeat what they had done in 2016.
Last Saturday, against Tonga, the Georgians rested a number of their key players who are currently playing in the French Top 14 and Pro D2 competitions.
Those that played against Tonga included Kakha Asieshvili (BriveTop 14), Shalva Mamukashvili (Sale Sharks- English Premier), Levan Chilachava (Toulon- Top 14), Giorgi Nemsadze (Tarbes-Pro D2), Kote Mikautadze (Toulon- Top 14), Shalva Sutiashvili (Massy- Pro D2).