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FRU stands by Savou
Fiji Times - Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:07 AM
THE Fiji Rugby Union will stand by coach Josateki Savou despite the sevens team's failure to impress in the last four tournaments of the 2007/2008 IRB series.
These comments were made by FRU chief executive Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua after the dismal performance of the Digicel sponsored Fiji side in San Diego, USA, yesterday. The side had to settle for the plate in extra time, beating Argentina 26-21 in the final.
"We have selected him (Savou) and we will support him," Tavanavanua said. "It would be inappropriate for us not to support him because we are the ones who endorsed him."
He said while the people of Fiji were disappointed, they would definitely call for heads to roll and this is what was happening now.
"We know emotions are running high," he said. "It is only after we get the management report we will look at the issues from the two tournaments." Tavanavanua said he wouldn't comment if former coach/player Waisale Serevi would be considered for any role within the side.
"It will all depend on the board," Tavanavanua said. Savou said while the main aim was to win the cup, the focus would now shift to Hong Kong.
"I'm pleased that we finished with a win but it was the Cup final that we wanted to be in," Savou said.
"For Hong Kong we will welcome back Semisi Naevo and William Ryder from Japan, also Nasoni Roko and Marika Vunibaka and we're looking forward to that."
Fiji edged Argentina in the plate final, with Emosi Vucago scoring a sudden-death extra-time winner after the scores were tied at 21-21 after 14 minutes. Fiji earlier lost 5-28 to New Zealand in the cup quarter-final. Converted tries by Pablo Gomez Cora and Akuila Nawerecagi left the sides level at the break and the Pumas twice pulled clear in the second half through Gabriel Ascarate only for the Fijians to draw level through Neumi Nanuku (pictured left) and Taniela Rawaqa.
