Fall guy

Fiji Times - Monday, April 07, 2008 7:51 AM

WILLIAM Ryder's head is the price of Fiji's continued failure in the International Rugby Board World Sevens Series.

The one-time twinkle-toed hero of the Digicel-sponsored side pays for a second lethargic week.

Fans questioned why the Bua man was allowed to stay on the field and hard-working Lepani Nabuliwaqa pulled off as Fiji gave up the Adelaide Sevens crown.

New Zealand stormed back with a rousing second half to win 17-14 after being down 14-5 to pile even greater pressure on coach Josateki Savou.

Ryder had been pinpointed as a weak link because of his poor fitness and defensive lapses. The bitter defeat after a first half of intense hope saw Fiji again fall to the Kiwis in the 2007-2008 series.

Ryder's one-dimensional play and senseless kicking saw the team decide the drop kick the Japan-based fading star.

Savou last night said from Adelaide: "We have talked about it and will be looking at getting someone as playmaker for the next two tournaments.

"Ryder has admitted he needs time to adapt to sevens. Ryder has indicated he will need more time to play in tournaments locally to get his magic back," Savou said.

Fiji Rugby Union chief executive Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua joined the chorus asking why Ryder was not replaced.

"I am trying to get in touch with the team management to ask why the decision to replace Nabuliwaqa was made when he was playing so well," Tavanavanua said.

But Savou said Nabuliwaqa was pulled off because of fatigue.

"He (Nabuliwaqa) was exhausted from a hard first half he had," Savou said