Play Fijian style rugby: Veidrayaki

Fiji Times - Sunday, February 10, 2008 4:28 PM

FIJI should play the typical Fijian style of rugby if it is to stand a chance of beating the big guns on the International Rugby Board Sevens World Series.

Former coach Peni Veidrayaki made the comments after Fiji slumped to a 21-17 loss against Samoa in the last pool match in San Diego.

Having led 17-0 at half-time, Fiji was blown away by our Pacific rivals who didn’t give Fiji a chance to add further to its tally.

This has seen Fiji being drawn against New Zealand in the quarter-final.

“The first half Fiji played the typical game and not got committed and this resulted in us outplaying Samoa,” Veidrayaki said.

“When the players kept the ball alive and didn’t go into contact areas unnecessarily, it showed with the play.

“However in the second half, Fiji was outdone because they started to play like the other teams.

"We can’t play like New Zealand and Samoa as that is their pattern.

“Ours is free flowing rugby.”

He said in sevens some vital areas which coach should look at when selecting the team was aggressiveness, speed and a good kicker.

“We saw Samoa managed to land conversions from the side line,” he said.

“That is what we need and we need to nail the points.”

He said if Fiji stuck to typical brand of rugby, they would be able to be on top against the Kiwis.

In the Samoa match, young Tomasi Mawi set up Neumi Nanuku for the first try.

Mawi fed Nanuku with a quick ball from the base of the scrum.

The try wasn’t converted.

Fiji led 5-0.

From the kick off Viliame Maya managed to contest for the ball and a few phases later it was Mawi who went in for the second try.

Nanuku converted to extend the lead to 12-0.

After having kept the ball alive and Mawi playing a good link up and support role, Setafano Cakau went over for the third try.

Conversion was missed.

Fiji led 17-0 at the break.

After the restart it was Samoa which used the short kick offs to their advtange and Lolo Lui and Apelu Fa’aiuga got two quick tries.

Wing Mikaele Pesamino added the tried when he latched onto a pass and outran Cakau to score in the corner.

Lui managed to land two side line conversions for the final 21-17 score line.