Losing Not an Option
Seruvakula lays down rule to the Fiji Warriors as they gear up for the Pacific Challenge
Coach Senirusi Seruvakula hopes to continue his winning ways with the Fiji Warriors as they leave today for the World Rugby Pacific Challenge in Apia, Samoa.
The stand-in Flying Fijians head coach selected a young side in his 28-member squad including 15-uncapped players. The uncapped players include: Queen Victoria High School’s head boy Anare Tabakaucoro.
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua loosehead prop Meli Tuni is also part of the squad.
The Pacific Challenge competition also includes Tonga A, Manuma Samoa A and Japan XVs. Seruvakula indicated that Samoa and Japan would provide a tough competition against the Warriors. Fiji will take on Tonga A in their opener next Wednesday.
“They (Tonga) will try their best to defeat us, our main goal is to win, perform and showcase these young players’ talents,” Seruvakula said in a Zoom press conference yesterday.
“Japan is always a powerful team, two years ago, they were champions. They are always a tough opponent and for us it’s tough to play away. Samoa who will be hosting will also be tough.
“The main goal of this selection is
to take the young players that have not been capped, to breed them and to give them the confidence as they begin their rugby career.
“Most of these players are scouted at a young age, we are capping them now so that they play for Fiji in the future and not any other country they’re being scouted to.” Seruvakula added that this is also a chance for local players from the
Skipper Cup to showcase their talent and put their hands up for selection for the Drua team.
The Skipper Cup players include Suva halfback and U20 reps of Jonathan Sovasova, Pauliasi Korobiau, Sivaniolo Lumelume and Paul Dolokoto.
“I have been telling the players that this is the pathway for them. Now we are concentrating on the young players during those days we selected the older players,” he said.
“We understand they will be the future Flying Fijians, they are still 22, 23 and have more time to play for the Flying Fijians.
“We want defend the Pacific Rugby Challenge. I coached the Warriors for six years and we were undefeated. “Our motor is ‘tabu na lusi’ (losing is not an option),” Seruvakula added.
Flying Fijians head coach’s job?
Meanwhile, when asked if there has been any update on the Flying Fijians head coach’s role, Seruvakula said: “Time is not our side, as a stand-in-coach, I’m just monitoring Fijian players playing overseas, using the Opta app. This is where we can watch the Fijian players that’s what I have been doing at the moment.
“First game in June against the Barbarians, there will be a lot of conversations with the clubs because that is not a World Rugby window, so whoever will be taking the role will have to do a lot of calls to the clubs for their players to be released.”
Warriors match fixtures: Wednesday, April 10, 12.15pm: Fiji Warriors vs Tonga A
Monday, April 15, 12.15pm Fiji Warriors v Japan XV
Saturday, April 20, 2pm Fiji Warriors v Manuma Samoa