Fiji's form a concern

The Fiji Times - Friday, February 01, 2008 10:07 PM

KICK-off and conversion woes plagued the Fiji sevens team’s jittery and unconvincing start in Wellington.

While the enthusiasm is there, the real test for the Jo Savou-coached side, comprising an experimental lot of youthful exuberance, will come in today’s cup quarter-final against Samoa at 2.39pm (Fiji time).

Fiji conjured up three wins from as many games but the coaching staff know they have to turn the table overnight on set-pieces, kicking game, coordination, combination, flair, cohesiveness and more importantly tighten up on defence if we’re to topple heavyweights Samoa, South Africa and New Zealand.

Fiji’s wins were against Wales (40-7), over Cook Islands (31-14) and versus the tournament’s disappointing lot England (17-7). Ben Gollings troops recorded their worst ever performance in the series losing all three of their pool games.

“Jo (Savou) has spoken to the players about the importance of improving on kick-offs,” team manager Opetaia Ravai said last night.

“That was one of the areas highlighted after the first two games together with our defence where the boys were told to tighten up.”

Retaining possession from own kick-offs is a vital aspect of the abbreviated code and Savou’s men faltered badly. The Fijians lost five out of five against Wales, two against Cook Islands and two against England.

The side faired better in scrums and line outs although they weren’t many to contest in the two opening games.

Kicks at goal is another area of concern and while playmaker Rawaqa hit five out of six mainly kickable ones against Wales, he looked uncomfortable from midway goal posts and corner flag and from outwide – missing two against the Cook Islands and two against England.

Against Wales, Fiji’s tries were scored by Setefano Cakau (2), Emosi Vucago, Taniela Rawaqa, Etonia Naba and Tomasi Mawi.

Epeli Vuniwaqa, Rawaqa, Tomasi Mawi, Vucago and Cakau dotted down against Cook Islands while Vucago grabbed a double against England adding to Vuniwaqa’s five-pointer.

Fiji’s likely starting line-up for today is: Naba, Viliame Maya and Vuniwaqa in the forwards, Vucago at halfback, Rawaqa at flyhalf, Cakau at rover and Neumi Nanuku on the wing.

In yesterday’s upsets, USA beat Argentina 17-7, Cook Islands shocked England 21-17, Wales further stunned England 15-5 and Tonga edged Argentina 19-17.

In today’s cup quarter-finals, New Zealand meets Wales at 1.33pm (Fiji time), Scotland takes on Australia at 155pm, it’s South Africa versus Tonga at 2.17pm followed by Fiji versus Samoa at 2.39pm.

BY MANOJ KUMAR