Our Best, So Far
Ex-Flying Fijians forwards coach Reverend Rinakama believes we now have a team that can produce great results at the World Cup in Japan.
Aformer Flying Fijians forwards coach believes the current Rugby
World Cup squad has the goods to deliver great results in Japan next month. Speaking to SUNsports last Friday, Reverend Joji Rinakama said: “This is, by far, the best
Fijian rugby team selected for the Rugby World Cup, ever since it started in 1987. He firmly believes that the Dominiko Waqaniburotu-captain side has the depth and a good forward pack to match any team. “I must admit that we now have players upfront who are hungry to play for possession throughout the 80 minutes,” the reverend said. “We now have players upfront who have been playing overseas. And these players have been playing well for their respective clubs in top level competitions.” With that in mind, the reverend is calling on all Fijians to rally behind the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians, starting with their clash against Tonga in Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday. Reverend Rinakama, in the 2007 RWC, worked with head coach Ilivasi Tabua and fitness trainer Henry Elder. That year, we beat Wales 38-34 in the final pool game to qualify for a quarterfinal spot, where we lost 37-20 to eventual Cup winners South Africa. The highlight of that quarterfinal saw Fiji, playing with 14 men, fought back from a 20-6 deficit to level 2020 midway in the second half before the Springboks pulled away. “With a very good set of forwards, the team management have to ensure that the players improve on their work rate and that would mean working on their fitness. “Players are always hungry for possession when they are fit. And my advice to the team is to take every game seriously.” Reverend Rinakama said Fiji’s first RWC match against the Wallabies on September 21, would be a good test for them as well. “The Flying Fijians can beat Wallabies. And we should pray for them,” he said. Reflecting on Saturday’s clash against Tonga, Reverend Rinakama said: “The Tongans will play with a lot of heart to beat Fiji. But with the current forwards and backline that we have, I’m confident that we will win.” Reverend Rinakama coached Navosa to the major union before he coached Nadroga and Naitasiri to dominate the local competition. This year, he assisted the Nanukuloa rugby team in Ra that came close to winning the Vodafone Vanua Challenge.