McKee works on Europe tour
Fijian Drua players heard of coach’s disappointment
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians head coach John McKee has been monitoring the performance of our Europe-based players as he finalises his squad for the Europe tour in November. Speaking to SUNsports, McKee said he has been in Europe for the past two weeks where he has been talking to the players and their respective clubs.
“I have also been catching up with a few of our players in the United Kingdom who are in contention for the European tour,” he said. “I have been here for two weeks and I have seen quite a number of our boys.
“Just last week, I watched a few local players like Jale Vatubua who plays for Pau and he had a good game along with Setareki Tuicuvu of Clermont and he been doing well at fullback.”
The Flying Fijians open their European tour with a Test match against Scotland on November 10 at Murraryfield Stadium in Edinburgh. On November 17, they take on Uruguay with the venue yet to be decided and on November 24 against France at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. McKee said this is all part and parcel of their preparation for next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan. This Sunday, he will be at the Concord Oval in Sydney to watch the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua take on Sydney Rays in the Australian National Rugby Championship. Last year, McKee took eight Drua players for the Europe tour.
HONEST REVIEW
Fijian Drua coach Senirusi Seruvakula yesterday expressed his disappointment to the players on their disappointing 55-22 loss to Queensland Country last Saturday. The no-nonsense coach did not hold back in his assessment of the team’s performance.
“We had a very honest review before we left Mackay, I was quite ruthless in my feedback to the boys.” he said.
“We need to improve across all areas of the field, our defence, our set pieces, the lot.
“When we deliver on the patterns we know work for us and play to our structure, we’re good, when we don’t, we pay the price.
“The boys were all very disappointed but that game is gone, we have to turn around and get ready to take the win this Sunday (against Sydney. Rays)”
The team have settled into their training base in Lennox Head, New South Wales and Seruvakula says the squad is determined to make amends on Sunday.
“We got beaten at our own game last week and sometimes a loss is good to bring you back to earth. “The Aussies are clearly reviewing our games, learning more about our players and against an experienced side like Queensland Country you have to concentrate. “So this week we will get back to our physicality; get back to conditioning and the toughness that we know works for us.”
The Drua flew into Queensland with two days to prepare for the match against the equally placed Queensland Country side.
For some of the 26 player squad, it was the first taste of short turnaround touring.
“This was the first time for some of the new boys having to travel and play a game straight away, but we’re not going to use these excuses.
“We just need to be more focussed in our training and get our standards back up to where we know we can be,” the coach added.
The match kicks-off at 5pm.