Tailevu: Train or out
Players will need to prove their worth if they are to play for Tailevu in the 2020 Skipper Cup Premiership, says Levani Matea.
The Tailevu
Rugby team manager fired the ultimatum yesterday as the side prepared for the clash against Namosi at Thomson Park,
Navua on July 25.
“Players need to train to be considered, either they are in or out,”Matea said.
“I reminded the coaching staff that one of the weaknesses encountered last year was relying on big names who would attend two days of training and selected in the match 23.
“That is a thing of the past, it would never happen again this year. Players will be given equal opportunities to prove their worth, no place for big names.”
He said the competition this year would be tough with the inclusion of overseas-based players waiting for the borders to reopen and sevens rugby squad members.
“It will be tough but our objective is to be in the competition when the season ends,” he said.
“We have a young squad building for the future and we will make sure we stay in the Skipper Cup comp.
“Training has been good so far and I anticipate a good year for Tailevu.”
He said the majority of the squad members were famers.
The final squad of 30 players will be announced in the final week of training.
Tailevu and Yasawa were promoted from the 2019 Vodafone Vanua Championship.
Accounts, AGM
He said the Tailevu Rugby was ready to contribute to the growth of the game during the annual general meeting (AGM) on July 18 at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay.
“Our account has already been audited before the untimely passing of our treasurer, Aporosa Gumatua four weeks ago,”he said.
“He had already prepared our account for the last financial year. “Everything has been submitted to Fiji Rugby Union, including training programmes and team manuals and we are ready for the AGM.
Nominations
Matea said they were happy with the current board of directors and had not submitted any nominees yet.
“We have not talked about nominating anyone to the FRU’s board of directors,” he said.
“We will be meeting today with the executives, but I doubt whether we would nominate anyone.”