Fitness a key factor

Fiji Times - Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:55 AM

THE fitness level of the Fijian players will determine how fast they have recovered from the hectic Hong Kong Sevens last weekend and how they will perform in Adelaide from today.

These were the comments made by Fiji rugby fitness trainer Henry Elder who believes the Digicel-sponsored Fiji side will have had enough time to recover for the tournament.

"It all depends on the level of fitness and mainly things like aerobic, muscular strength and endurance," Elder said.

"It normally takes a few days to recover and I have confidence Naca Cawanibuka would have worked hard to get the players back in shape."

He said playing only a week after featuring at the three day Hong Kong Sevens shouldn't be a major obstacle as there were many ways in which the team would have recovered.

"The nutrition, supplementation, ice bath and hydro therapy among other recovery methods have been used and will benefit the side a lot," he said.

"One week is enough to get the team back in shape."

With hot weather expected in Adelaide this weekend, Elder said fluid intake will be necessary.

"Constant fluid intake with ice bath after each game will be needed to have recovery," Elder said.

He has tipped Fiji to bounce back this weekend.

Fiji Rugby Union chief executive Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua is confident of the team bouncing back this week and fighting tooth and nail to retain its title.

"There are no excuses from last weekend but we expect the management and players to have talked about it and come up with a plan to produce a good performance," Tavanavanua said.

"While we know the expectations are always high, the team needs our support and prayers."

Meanwhile, New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens is wary of teams such as Fiji, South Africa and Samoa.

Despite holding a comfortable 38 points lead in the series, he said teams will be out to beat his side.

"It's all about being consistent and that is what we are aiming at," Tietjens said.

"Fiji along with Samoa and South Africa will all be out strong and the Fijians are the defending champions and they will not give up easily especially after last week. All good teams such as them pick up in each tournament."