KAMELI RAKOKO UNLEASHING FIJIAN FLAIR
Coach McKee unleashes scoring machines
VICTORY at last and what a way to achieve it. Flying Fijians coach John McKee may have just rediscovered the secret to unleashing the full power of Fijian rugby flair after the clinical 45-10 display against Georgia in Rugby World Cup 2019.
But it took a desperate situation where the coach and his players were called to win at all cost to pick up the pieces after their quarter-final hopes were shattered by losses to the Wallabies and lowly rated Uruguay.
Minister for Home Affairs Inia Seruiratu presented the jerseys and motivated the team to win the match at all cost.
A lot of things hung in the balance and depended on it.
Seruiratu a former schools sprint champion, Deans trophy rugby winner, headboy of Ratu Kadavulevu School, retired military officer and motivational speaker was assigned the special task.
The proverbial sword of Damocles was sharpened and ready to execute as McKee and the players were subject to venomous comments calling for heads to roll and fuelled by degrading remarks of angry fans.
Fijian players have been known to be stunted by too many technicalties and structural aspects going around their heads.
They play better free from the restrictions and when they are smiling and enjoying the battle.
So some coaches make it simple and leave them playing their natural game while McKee and his assistant Tabai Matson decided to slog it out in teaching new moves.
It was a mind battle like teaching old dogs new tricks. There were disappointing training sessions as the players rejected innovative ideas and shut themselves completely.
This reflected in the warmup matches before September 21 but there were glimpses of brilliance when moves were well executed.
McKee’s instructions before the Georgian match was for the players to go out and let go and the players responded by doing so and activating their newfound tactical moves.
It was champagne rugby unprecedented rugby display by a Flying Fijians team.
The 60 minutes of glory against the Wallabies where they led 24-12 was a sign that something hidden in the DNA of Fijian players was unravelling itself.
But when the pressure mounted and territory and possession taken out there was panic and they reverted to solving problems the old and easy way.
Against Uruguay, the short four days turnaround and relentless pressure caught Fiji napping and they were not able to come up with a counter to win even though they piled on more points and came short by three points.
After leading 7-3 against Georgia at halftime the Flying Fijians went one notch up by executing smart kicking plays on the flanks initiated by fly half Ben Volavola.
He was the pivot and the backline passing using double dummy runners confused the Georgians and the talented Fijian backline roared into entertaining running rugby.
Outside backs Semi Radradra, Josua Tuisova and Waisea Nayacalevu responded with blistering pace finishing off the hard work of Levani Botia, Kini Murimurivalu and halfback Frank Lomani.
It was a day for the backline. Fullback Murimurivalu was a ball player and important link in the try-scoring moves and was safe under the high balls with Radradra in the wet conditions.
He survived the close markings of the Georgian tacklers with grit and determination and showed a lot of courage in perhaps one of his best games ever.
Semi Kunatani’s high workrate in defence was something the team had badly missed and his timely tackles frustrated Georgian moves. He was rewarded with a try of his own after Botia sliced through tackles.
Georgia had predicted that they would destroy the Fijian forwards in the set plays including the mauls. But the Fijians neutralised their effort and they were left playing one dimensional rugby opening up spaces in the defence for the Fijians to blast through.
Fijian fans were totally behind their team and the spiritual mentors interpreted the slight drizzling rain was a sign of God’s blessings.
The former and latter rains, they say, are promises of greater things. The best may still yet to come.
Go Fiji Go!!!