Touring Fijians in development mode

The defending Pacific Rugby Cup champions have it all to play for in Wanganui against Hurricanes Development on Thursday afternoon.

They are travelling this country on the smell of an oily rag, many having sent funds home to family still dealing with the effects of last year's floods.

There has not been time or means for much sightseeing for the large men of the Fijian Warriors.

Training at City College yesterday, coach Inoke Male said his side, effectively the Fijian A team, consisted of many Under 20 players who appeared at the Junior World Championships.

Their future is being stamped for both the 2015 and 2019 World Cups

"We are here to develop our players. Give them the exposure we have not got at home," said Male.

He also pointed to the Fiji Sevens team's success against New Zealand in Hong Kong the night before, which included a number of players who came through this development system.

A handful of Fijian supporters were on the sidelines to watch the team train yesterday, something which Male said has followed them from the South Island up to Auckland.

After two wins and a draw with one game called off heading into last Saturday's clash with Blues Development, the team also wants to bounce back from the 41-10 hammering they suffered at Waitemata.

"We didn't really play at the standard we needed to play at," Male said.

The game will be at Spriggens Park at 4pm on Thursday.

Gates open at 3pm, with a $2 gate charge and under-13s free.