Game has changed

FRIDAY CALLS FOR UNDERSTANDING TOWARDS FIJI TEAM

USA head coach Mike Friday emphasised perspective, expectations, and identity while giving his expertise on the form and performance of the Fiji Airways Fiji 7s men’s team in the HSBC World SVNS Series.

Speaking to this newspaper, the former England player and coach said that while expectations are high, Fiji fans must also understand that the landscapes of the game have changed.

“We all know the expectations for Fiji, they are the world’s best, this is where 7s is played, and this is their national sport, it is iconic here. But, I think there is also perspective, they’re still the World Champions, Olympic champions, and whilst the World Series is where the Fijian supporters crave competition wins.

“I think they qualify for the Olympics, they’re sitting third after two legs and I think people need to realize you don’t win anything if you win the first seven tournaments. It’s all about getting in that top eight and making sure you win that tournament in Madrid because that makes you world champions,” Friday stated.

He added that despite the dry spell, Fiji has not lost its identity.

“The landscape has changed a little bit so I think maybe there has to be a little more understanding, don’t get me wrong every supporter wants their team to win but more importantly every supporter wants their team to play in the personality and in the spirit they see themselves as a people.

“That kind of free spirit, that freedom in the way they play is still very much there and I see that in the circuit still. I saw that in the last series, I saw it in Cape Town and Dubai but unfortunately, if you make any sort of minor mistake, you pay the price and you get beaten,” he said.

“That is why Argentina is currently top of the World Series because they don’t make mistakes and they’re physical, brutal, and relentless.”

Friday is in Fiji for the first time and is impressed with the immense depth of talent in the country.