Smith: Flying Fijians to go for top 4
Former national rugby captain and hooker Greg Smith says, the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians have the potential for a top 4 finish in next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Smith said although he is not close to the development of the players he believes the players would need more time together.
“The coaches need access to the players and the fitness and medical staff needs time to prepare them to the standards that are required to compete at a World Cup,” he said.
“The team also needs an opportunity to be in Fiji and connect with the people as this is the country’s team.
“I think Fiji has the potential to be a top four team so to become the best in world it will take an enormous amount of work over a long period.
“The team has been developed by John McKee over the past few years and it includes some of the best players in the world.”
Smith added the best players should represent Fiji and it does not matter where they play at the point of selection.
“Enough time and the right conditions to prepare provide the opportunity for the team to become a team. “The performance of the team at the last World Cup showed that the team was coached well enough to compete with the best teams in the world.
“Fiji was a genuine competitor and respected by its opposition and McKee is a respected coach so my advice for the players is to prepare well.”