NZ buzzing after Flying Fijians’ impressive performance v. ABs
Many rugby fans, experts and commentators in New Zealand are talking about the Flying Fijians after their impressive performance in Dunedin on Saturday night.
Vern Cotter’s men may have lost the test but they have won the hearts of fans who love a decent game of rugby. In this case a real test compared to the demolition of Tonga by the All Blacks the previous Saturday.
The applause came from many including former All Blacks greats like legendary wingers Sir John Kirwin and Jeff Wilson plus ex-halfback Justin Marshall and ex-utility back Mils Mulialina. Their shared their sentiments on live television as commentators.
They all praised Fiji for a gutsy performance despite losing 23-57 after late tries by the All Blacks.
The score line belies the fact that ABs did not have it their own way because the Flying Fijians won the collision area, bringing physicality to the breakdowns. The visitors put on an incredible show for 65 minutes, scored three tries and stayed in the game until the ABs pulled away in the last 15 minutes.
One of the tries was a penalty try, a rarity against the team many still rate the world’s best. The other big achievement for the night was a try from a another rolling maul.
They were a huge psychological boost for the Fijians and even All Blacks coach Ian Foster recognised that the Fijians came to Dunedin to play.
So the stage is set for the final showdown this Saturday at FMG Stadium in Hamilton in front of what is expected to be a sellout crowd.
Some are already talking about the dawn of a new era for Fijian rugby. Many Kiwis expected the Flying Fijians to play their open style of rugby. Instead, they met the ABs head-on in their characteristic style of high intensity close quarter combat. The ABs were rattled early by the physicality of the Fijians. They did not expect it to be that intense,The Flying Fijians were recognised for winning more turnovers in the breakdowns and matched the ABs in scrums and lineouts. The Fijians showed they were no pushover and proved they could stand their ground against tier-one nations.
Here are the lessons for the Flying Fijians for Hamiulton.
Discipline
They copped a yellow card and gave away many unnecessary penalties, Their penalty count was too high. They need to cut these out. The penalties allowed the ABs to recover when they were under the pump and put pressure on the Fijian defence. Exhaustion and fatigue set in, in the last 15 minutes and enabled the ABs to pile on the points.
Kicking
Coach Vern Cotter, assistants Glen Jackson and Daryl Gibson need to talk to first five Ben Volavola to stop those silly kicks that are not profitable.
If Volavola cannot do it then they need someone else for the position. They cannot waste possessions if he is kicking straight into the hands of the ABs who are excellent ball runners and the chasers are not up to it
80 minutes
The Flyjng Fijians paid dearly for slowing down in the last 15 minutes. Hopefully the reps are well rested and have sufficiently recovered after the bruising first test encounter. The ABs have a bigger squad to choose from. Cotter does not have that luxury so he has to manage his players well.
Rolling Maul
Watch that AB lineout close to the Fijian try line. AB hooker Dan Cole scored three tries from it. The Fijians must work out how to counter it.
Take the preventive option and keep play in AB territory and avoid penalties. The ABs Will kick for the
Corner to effect that rolling maul from the lineout
Pride and Passion
Cotter recognised this in his squad - the Fijian pride and passion - the main driving force behind their performance. He said the Fijians had a wonderful culture and all the coaches did was to build around it.
All of that will be needed and more this Saturday.