McKee: Expect Changes
Coach questions decisions on yellow cards as match officials yet to clarify
Expect Fiji Airways Fijian Drua players to be in the Flying Fijians run on side to take on Uruguay at the Hartpury College ground in London on Sunday morning (Fiji time).
This was the gist of Fiji Airways Flying Fijians head coach John McKee’s message after their 54-17 drubbing against Scotland in Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh last Sunday.
Speaking to SUNsports last night McKee said he would be giving some players the opportunity to be part of the second match.
“Players will always get the opportunity in the first and second games,” he said.
“There were some players that were not involved in the first game which I will be giving them a chance to be part of the second match. There are a lot of factors that will be affecting our team during selection time. “We have some of issues that can force some changes. We have a full squad and we’re taking a closer look at the players’ performance last weekend.”
Eight Fijian Drua players who were part of the Australian National Rugby Championship winning team are with the Flying Fijians. Halfback Frank Lomani started against Scotland while hooker Mesulame Dolokoto, prop Eroni Mawi, Albert Tuisue and Alivereti Veitokani came in as substitutes later in the game.
Other members of the Drua side are captain Mosese Voka, tighthead prop Joeli Veitayaki and Veremalua Vugakoto.
McKee said all players apart from Setareki Tuicvuvu are available for selection this weekend.
Also on the list are Toulon winger Josua Tuisova and Eroni Sau who is the current World Rugby Sevens rookie of the year and now playing for Perpignan in the Top 14 competition.
McKee added the side need to look at some structures that will suit them for this weekend.
“We have some really good passage to play so we’ll have to build on it. What we need to do is to work really hard on areas like retaining pos- session, also on our phases of play when the defence is strong on us. “We’ll be expecting Uruguay to keep the ball away from to us.
“I will be looking closely at the players performance particularly when we do our physical field day. “We are going to be well-focused for this game and we’ll need to build our combinations. “Moving towards next year‘s Rugby World Cup needs a massive amount of planning as well.” The Flying Fijians are pooled with Uruguay, Georgia, Wales and Australia at the 2019 RWC in Japan
YELLOW CARDS DISPUTED
Looking back at the Scotland game, McKee says, the yellow cards that were dished to Tevita Cavubati and Leone Nakarawa were unfortunate.
“Scotland really put us under pressure with those silly penalties.
“The first yellow card was very disappointing because we were not given a warning and for the second one we are still seeking clarifications from the match officials,” he added.