We Need to Work Hard: Hooker Matavesi
Flying Fijians hooker Sam Matavesi believes the talk about last Saturday’s first Test match against the All Blacks should be over. He said they are focused on putting up another strong game in their final Test in Hamilton, tonight.
He said the players have regrouped and had
100 per cent attendance in training as it gave the coaching staff more options to select the best team.
“There has been a lot of sore bodies but players are working hard,” Matavesi said.
“We have got Frank Lomani and other key players in the squad so I think this is a massive boost but last week means nothing if we can’t work hard this week.”
Matavesi added that it has not been an easy task preparing for the All Blacks, knowing the number of days they were in quarantine before the first Test match. “We spent the first week individually in our rooms and then from there we were able to train as a group up without the coaches. This was quite tough but at least we managed to stretch our legs and the work the coaches did with us in a short period of time is really good.
“Against the All Blacks last week, I think something went really well but it means nothing this week if we don’t get better as a team.”
Matavesi who played a vital role and was the key man behind Fiji’s second try against the All Blacks says there had been a lot of focus put on improving the forward pack to match the tier one teams.
“As a forward pack in general, over the past few years especially with the scrums and lineout have improved and what we have been doing as a unit has been awesome.”
He added the Flying Fijians need more Test matches against the top teams in order to become very competitive ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
“It needs to happen more. Hopefully after this during the next few test matches it happens. I think if we want to get better as a team, there needs to be a competition and to compete against All Blacks is one of the best things” said Matavesi.
The Flying Fijians take on the All Blacks
at 7.05pm.