Do you think we have too many young players?

THERE has been talk that the Fiji side has too many young players in the current team. Do you think this is one reason we didn't perform in Wellington or is there is something else which is wrong.
Will these young players be able to prove us wrong this weekend in USA?

37 comments so far.

John Kama of Canada
I think we want all these young players and lets wait till or if they play the All Blacks again in Australia.I'm sure there will be a different story then?But we need to inject these young people into our team now,old man like Marika Vunibaka etc should be thinking about their retirement after this run?These young guys will be the one to bring back the gold and honour to our country!
John Kama of Canada
I think we want all these young players and lets wait till or if they play the All Blacks again in Australia.I'm sure there will be a different story then?But we need to inject these young people into our team now,old man like Marika Vunibaka etc should be thinking about their retirement after this run?These young guys will be the one to bring back the gold and honour to our country!
Delaco of Gau of Fiji Paradise
In GAU Islands,We need young players to be trained.groomed and be prepared to be world champions.Thats what we do in Gau...Even if you give select kids from Primary schools..In Gau ,they will be world champions....The Master of world sevens comes from GAU Islands and not BAU (Tavanavanua)...But,without Serevi..SORRY..!Tavanavanua..you can go back to Bau &enjoy your draunimoli & tavioka and the 5 rotten stnky eggs you import ti Fiji...!
rockfleur of suvah city
well how are the young players going to get skills and exposure if they don't play in international competitions
to nia of fiji
this so called young generation players have been given too many chances..........

Savou, u make too many prediction....
b*** ,
mad max of UAE
the physical sizes ant the experience of the players that counts.also in their various position.as a coach yourBut game plan can be changed while on the bench as your opponent unbalances your plan and stratergies applies to be on the finger tips of the boys.That is where n when an experience coach is necessary.But a mixture of young n old will be great taste.Look at Samoa n England.try mada fiji....
Lex of Natewa
Savou and Ravai hope you've realised how the samoan blend their team combination with few young and majority experienced players...they are so relunctant to release their cap in the final having known the value of his experience and influence in their combination...the young player come inas impact replacement with much anticipation and promises knowing the hard yards calmed by the experienced guys...hence do not just learn the game plan and patterns in the field but also figure out their strategies from the bench...osa ca toa qo..dua a bilo.
Waqa of Suva
Well they did well but i think they lack exposer coz Wellington is big and crazy wen it comes to atmosphere...But they need lot's of experience so that they will feel comfortable playing in big 7's like Wellington.But i wish them all well in San Diego..Go Boys show them the real fijian Sprit...
ritz of suva
Discipline has cost us

I think FRU its time you do your job

If all of you have watched the game than you would agree that Discipline is the thing that our boys lack

sin-bins occur often, it costs us the game. learn from your mistakes GUYS

Kicking - dont rush into it take it slowly

Basically all of this can be done and was done by serevi. He did create a team that was well Discipline and were able to hold onto the ball well under pressure

I think we need SEREVI.
ritz of suva
Discipline has cost us

I think FRU its time you do your job

If all of you have watched the game than you would agree that Discipline is the thing that our boys lack

sin-bins occur often, it costs us the game. learn from your mistakes GUYS

Kicking - dont rush into it take it slowly

Basically all of this can be done and was done by serevi. He did create a team that was well Discipline and were able to hold onto the ball well under pressure

I think we need SEREVI.
raj of England
yeah bring serevi back and then what? If they dont do well then everyone starts blaming him.
What's wrong with the new players, give them a chance I think they need this series to develop to a better team for the next series. I think another factor thats stopping us is training wise I think they should do more weight sessions to bulk the boys up instead of wearing them out by running all day.

All the best boys. Go Fiji Go!!!!
Patrick Wong of Eu'a
Players are good. We need a good mentor like Serevi.

Our boys won the Darwin 7's with Serevi & fairly new names.

Our current management staffing is not well respected by players. Something wrong in FRU

Why get an expatriate as HIGH PROFILE MANAGER (whatever you call that role) when Serevi is able to handle it all by himself.

We are not blind & stupid as FRU. Bring back our old & experienced horses.
Patrick Wong of Eu'a
Players are good. We need a good mentor like Serevi.

Our boys won the Darwin 7's with Serevi & fairly new names.

Our current management staffing is not well respected by players. Something wrong in FRU

Why get an expatriate as HIGH PROFILE MANAGER (whatever you call that role) when Serevi is able to handle it all by himself.

We are not blind & stupid as FRU. Bring back our old & experienced horses.
amoz of lautoka
Of course, how can you expect these young and new players to perform well at a big tournament like in Wellington with with kind of noisy crowd ??.

Performing so well will be hard for them especially playing against experienced NZ players and even against Samoa with most of them already playing rugby in NZ.
They certainly need some experienced players around to guide and help them but when you are a rugby player, selected to represent your country, poor performance is not all accepted.
Video Ref of UK
Having young players in the team has nothing to do with the performances so far, the problem is that we do not have battle harden rugby players in our 7s team or for that matter in the country to compete against tougher teams. Now I maybe wrong but if we look at most players playing for other teams, most of them play 15's rugby for whatever PROFFESIONAL club, provinces in their respective countries. They do not shy away from getting in amongst it when its come to been physical on the rugby pitch. what we need for Fiji is to have players playing 15's rugby as much as playing 7's rugby in order to be ready for anything physical on the pitch. We have players that shine during the 7's season then just disappear out of the radar to reappear for the next season. The FRU, The Fiji 7's Coach & Co plus the Players needs to start pulling their socks together coz NZ is starting to pull away from the points table and other teams catching us up. Savou needs to stop thinking about the 7s World Cup, you try to play and win each games as possible and then the future will take care of itself.
Max of Nadi
Io,there should be changes made to these current crop of 'va cheche' boys..Judging from their outing in the wellington leg,they seem not 2 hav any game plan at all.There was sooooooooo many unforced errors.The whole lot of them didn't play the ball outwide or made use of the full ground.They all wanted to run the show themselves...so pathetic!!!!! I wonder why V.Maya was picked.None of Fiji's kicks did he ever recover..wat a waste!!!! Pliiiiiiiiiiiiiizzzzzz...we really need some experienced hands hia FRU.Cut the politics out & bring the 'legend',naevo,ryder & nabuliwaqa bak pliiiiiiiizzz....cheers!!!!
Max of Nadi
Io,there should be changes made to these current crop of 'va cheche' boys..Judging from their outing in the wellington leg,they seem not 2 hav any game plan at all.There was sooooooooo many unforced errors.The whole lot of them didn't play the ball outwide or made use of the full ground.They all wanted to run the show themselves...so pathetic!!!!! I wonder why V.Maya was picked.None of Fiji's kicks did he ever recover..wat a waste!!!! Pliiiiiiiiiiiiiizzzzzz...we really need some experienced hands hia FRU.C
Finley of Ballard
what young players....everyone is young..are we misunderstanding the concept of young and experienced.
clearly we need experience....
and clearly the "young "players" need experience.... but international practises the likes Serevi uses to climatize the players..... we need alot of international exposure.
Most of the time the cross cultural striken players are in cultural shock... theyve never seen another country,the diversity of development,faces...."women walking arround in mini skirts" and all that taboo issues that we dont face in our everyday life in fiji..all this little mind and soul benders needed to be faced too.ietherwise itll create havoc for a new player.... it draws his attention and focus....
So iam for using another team or two to climatize our cream of the crop...by sending them to other international tournaments.
I dont think just the tournaments in fiji will give the new "young" guys the full scope...of what it means to play in onother part of the globe.
look at the guys with exposure.... its like night and day. for 15s and 7s
philippa of sydney australia
who cares....as long as the fiji team did there best........the young players are actually not bad
snarayan of Nadi
We need Serevi Ryder Naevo Nabuliwaqa
so cut the bullshit FRU
Ratu mai Hillsborough of Aotearoa
In Wellington, Samoan Team have been doing teir warm up for about 20 minutes when slowly we saw the Fiji team coming out to do their warm up. A worst scenerio, more so, when this was the first game of the day in which they have to sweat out their nights fatigue. No ! its not only that: I believe its more about leadership - coaching and management. Players perform well in the right environment. This team ; honestly ; lacks that.
aaybee of Suva
A player is a player who should be prepared to face any opponent. once you don fiji jersey then you are representing fiji its is not a question of new or old.
lasco of lautoka
Exactly...But they will definetly bonce back this weekend...Give Dan(Rawaqa) another chance and I suggest Vucago be our last man down on defence.

All the best guys...
ritz of suva
I agree with Northland of Northland that there should be 20%-30% new players in each game. we should have more of experienced players as this will give the chance to younger players. IF you are in a team that is performing well it will lift your performance but if you are in a team that doesnt win frquently it would put your morale and the team morale down
ritz of suva
I agree with Northland of Northland that there should be 20%-30% new players in each game. we should have more of experienced players as this will give the chance to younger players. IF you are in a team that is performing well it will lift your performance but if you are in a team that doesnt win frquently it would put your morale and the team morale down
heavenandhell of Australia
I am a big believer in new blood in needed for any sport. However saying that, young players dont seem to have the size or muscle that some of the older boys have got.

Keep bringing in that new blood but teach them how to build there size without drugs and steriods..

Let's not forget RUGBY is the game they play in heaven.

http://www.spotinheaven.com
heavenandhell of Australia
I am a big believer in new blood in needed for any sport. However saying that, young players dont seem to have the size or muscle that some of the older boys have got.

Keep bringing in that new blood but teach them how to build there size without drugs and steriods..

Let's not forget RUGBY is the game they play in heaven.

http://www.spotinheaven.com
JOSAIA LOA of Nadi
its a good team they play a very good in wellington.
Northland of Northland
Could Peter Murphy justify his line "rebuilding stage"??? Rebuilding for what? during IRB? or for HK? If it is for HK than tell the nation so we may accept the trial and error - because we are not going for IRB points and overall champion?? [Where is this Puff from...- Kiwi, he is Tienjan eye here - thus the statement from Kiwi coach..]FRU dont be charmed by his sweet talk -did he rebuild the team for World Cup 15???NOOOO

Where did this Marist sevens sprout out from thus forgoing the BP series and be now used for HK selection 'shame on EX Marist @ FRU"- playing money and game politics - now Fiji Bitter is spending less on other clubs because of this Marist club [Joe Rodan Ex connection]. If this is the case, than FRU should give other club organizers the same right." is this club championship or national championship???

Serevi shared this same sentiment

We need to blend experience and with new [70-80% old and 30-20%] we are the other way round. Look at NZ, SA, Samoa,etc... Cut the shit Murphy and tell the nations - so we may not expect anything from IRB series - it seems you are telling us this is a selection trial for HK..come HK totally new team??? Speak to the nation FRU...Now he is saying to make comments after US sevens, for what same team if they win?? They have yet to play NZ, Aussie, Tonga to further surface our weakness to their advantage, than FRU back to square one??? New team, coach etc.etc.etc...

Peter Murphy is taking us on a boat ride named "suasua yani suasua mai - "one gear forward and two back"
io of suva
what the coaches should do is to mix new players with experience players until they can stand alone.NZ is doing that.
Fanonu Slack of Nauluvatu. St Giles
M a patient at st giles and would like to air my views on the past game including the question being asked on the performance and the inclusion of young players in the Fiji 7's squad. Well first of all we must thank the lord for the results that we receive and that we have to go back to the drawing board for corrections and find ways to counter them. The young players are the basic neccessity for fijian rugby, viewing the fact that the sevens team has come of age and that they are vital in the series. But the fact remains that the sevens series where resources are used and spent like the previous tournaments, their is a need for experience in the squad. From my analysis, say 70% of the team is to be made up with experienced players and 30% is to be young talents. The first two tournaments, showed that we have vast talents in our side and elemets like tem bonding, more game time, and re- looking at the strgeth of the team is to be reconsidered. The same sentiments were aired out by Mr. Gordon Tietjens of New Zealand. From the Wellington sevens, we clearly saw that, not only speed was the main aspect of the game but strength... I mean great strength, in order to conquer the best. We need more muscels, more stamina, more endurance, more game time, more team bonding, and a specialist positions like first five and wings, who can move the team in attack and slow the team on being pressured upon. Players like Serevi is that we lack, I mean the calibre, managing the team spirit well...calling the backs in a drift defence from left to right and also manninig the attcks with sidesteps, and moves hich can create gaps for the speedsters to work their speed on. Well not only that, is that our defece is really in tatters... we need to work on our drift defence and a good sweeper to cover the back in case of a chip kick. Well that is opnly a short memory and an analysis from a St. Giles paient. To conlude...we need young players... but say only 30% and thge rest with experienced fully fit players to do the job.

Fanonu Slack
Sauka ni Koro turaga i Suva
Sa Dri yani
osama bin laden of afganistan
ITS BETTER NEW PLAYERS SHOULD SIT..THEIR BUTT ON THE BENCH AND WATCH...and let the EXPERIENCE DO THE JOB...
cho! of suva
NO THATS NOT THE POINT. I ALWAYS BELIEVE THAT RUGBY IS A GAME OF YOUNG AND EDUCATED MEN. THE POINT IS HOW SOMEONE OR MANAGEMENT CAN DEVELOP, MOULD AND MOTIVATE THESE YOUNG PLAYERS TO DELIVER THE GOODS. IAM NOT SAYING OLD PLAYERS ARE BAD THEY ALSO HAVE A PLACE IN THE TEAM. MY POINT IS THAT ITS A COMBINATION OF MANY THINGS TO BE ADDRESSED RIGHT. THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE IF FRU PUT THE RIGHT PERSON AT THE RIGHT PLACE.

RUGBY IS NO LONGER A GAME ALONE. IT INVOLVES MANY ASPECTS OF DEVELOPING A PROSPECT YOUNG FIJIAN MAN NOT ONLY TO BE A GOOD RUGBY PLAYER BUT A SUCCESSFUL PERSON AS WELL. A PERSON WITH INTERGRITY, VALUES AND DISCIPLINE. THIS YOUNG FIJIAN PROSPECT TO LIVE A LIFE TO IMPACT HIS PEERS AND COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO CREATE A GOOD SOCIETY.

I SUGGEST FRU MUST HAVE A VISION FAR BEYOND THAN PLAYING RUGBY ONLY. RUGBY IF DIRECTED RIGHT CAN HAVE A FAR REACHER AND BRIGHTER INFLUENCE OVER THE WHOLE FIJIAN COMMUNITY. I HOPE THAT DAY COMES SOON.
lilmem of suva
i think its good for Fiji rugby to breed this young player's but their need someone to guide them...like Serevi, Nabuliwaqa and Vunibaka well let see after the Marist 7's wea their will select the team 2 Hong Kong. Gud luck at the San Diego 7's..
nia of suva
give the young generation a chance after all they r our future players...
nia of suva
give the young generation a chance after all they r our future players...
Filipe Tuisawau of Lami
This is thr right time to blend the yuth and the old ones in order to defend our World Cup 7s in 2009. The hue and cry for Serevi will long be gone when these youngster will carry on their fame and name and once again , we shall be a team to reckon with. the rest of the 15 teams that lost will continue and we shall take the cue from Nigeria and Cook Islands as they will continue to take the might of the World and still manage a smile.
The blessings of the Vanua are with these youngsters to shoulder the charge and we should also look beyond our nose. the Road to 2011 world 15's starts here with the under 19's teams and not the over 30's. Youth is the essence of life - not victory. For when a great scorer comes , he will not see how many goals we have scored but how we played.
Vinando

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