High hopes for Fiji's great entertainers

By WYNNE GRAY

All the attention has been on the phalanx of Fijian speedsters.

No other nation at the Cup can match Fiji's wing resources, an asset which will force coach Mac McCallion to use several players elsewhere.

He would gladly trade a wing or two for a few extra tight forwards, especially after the withdrawal of lock Simon Raiwalui and halfback Jacob Rauluni.

It had been suggested to the pair, as it was to several other Pacific Island players, that their lucrative club contracts in Britain would not be renewed if they went to the Cup.

In what is an indictment on the IRB, club pressure has had the greatest impact on what is supposed to be a tournament for the world's best players.

Raiwalui was a rarity for Fiji, a world-class tight forward, who brought some solidity to the pack with another lock, Emori Katalau.

Getting more structure and cohesion from his tight forwards is McCallion's aim, a wish-list which has accompanied most Fijian coaches in the nation's rugby history.

On the hard fast grounds of Australia, Fiji should rip up Japan and the United States. A fit Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Vilimoni Delasau, Marika Vunibaka, Norman Ligairi, Aisea Tuilevu, Seru Rabeni - any of those speedsters - could make sensational inroads.

But if Fiji are to reach the quarter-finals as they did in 1987, they will need to beat either France or Scotland, with the Scots the probable target.

France will remember well their pool game at the last Cup when Fiji, but for a few poor decisions by New Zealand referee Paddy O'Brien, would have advanced straight to the quarters.

Fiji have to compete up front if they are to pinch the extra victory necessary to progress in this year's tournament. Hence McCallion's lament about his dearth of tight forwards and the side's set-piece vulnerability.

But the coach also knows where his strength lies. "I don't want to take any of the flair away. I've given them an open licence from the second, third or fourth phase to run the ball and play the way they can," he says.

Waikato hooker Greg Smith will be asked to guide and discipline his pack to perform the basics so promising youngsters such as Sisa Koyamaibole can use their athletic prowess. The 120kg No. 8 is explosive in the open and if he and others are given a strong platform, then Fiji may add to their reputation as one of the great entertainers in world rugby.

By Wynne Gray

All the attention has been on the phalanx of Fijian speedsters.

No other nation at the World Cup can match Fiji's wing resources, an asset which will force coach Mac McCallion to use several players elsewhere.

He would gladly trade a wing or two for a few extra tight forwards especially after lock Simon Raiwalui - with halfback Jacob Rauluni - withdrew from the tournament.

It had been suggested to the pair, like several other Pacific Island players, that their lucrative club contracts in the UK would not be renewed if they left for the World Cup.

In what is an indictment on the IRB, club pressure had the greatest impact on what is supposed to be a tournament for the world's best players.

Raiwalui was a rarity for Fiji, a world-class tightforward, who brought some solidity to the pack with another lock Emori Katalau.

Getting more structure and cohesion from his tight forwards is McCallion's aim, a wishlist which has accompanied most Fijian coaches in the nation's rugby history.

On the hard fast grounds of Australia, Fiji should rip up Japan and USA. A fit Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Vilimoni Delasau, Marika Vunibaka, Norman Ligairi, Aisea Tuilevu, Seru Rabeni - any of those speedsters - could make sensational inroads.

But if Fiji are to reach the quarterfinals as they did in 1987, the islanders will need to beat either France or Scotland with the latter the probable target.

However France will remember well their pool game at the last World Cup where Fiji, but for a few poor decisions by New Zealand referee Paddy O'Brien, would have advanaced straight to the quarters.

Fiji have to compete up front if they are to pinch the extra victory necessary to progress in this year's tournament.

Hence McCallion's lament about his dearth of tight forwards and the side's setpiece vulnerability. But the coach also knows where his strength lies.

"I don't want to take any of the flair away. I've given tthem an open licence from the second, third or fourth phase to run the ball and play the way they can."

Longtime Waikato hooker Greg Smith will be asked to guide and discipline his pack to perform the basics so promising youngsters like Sisa Koyamaibole can use their athletic prowess.

The 120kgs No 8 is not only a hard worker but also very explosive in the open and if he and others are given a strong platform, then Fiji may add to their reputation as one of the great entertainers in world rugby.

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