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Fiji Times - Wednesday, July 09, 2008 12:42 PM
THE different timeframe of playing seasons in the southern and northern hemisphere, will never allow Fiji, Samoa and Tonga to enjoy to field their best sides in Test matches outside the Rugby World Cup.
His views were echoed by Fiji coach Ilivasi Tabua, who said Oliver had hit the nail on the head.
The Fijians dont have their best players in test matches because the season overseas does not allow them to be available, said Oliver-
The veteran hooker with 55 Test caps said it was a misinterpretation by the IRB which saw the different timing of seasons in the two hemispheres.
Its not the fault of the Fiji Rugby Union or the team that it is not able to win regular Test matches, Oliver said.
Rather it is the world rugby community, for setting out timetables unsuitable for the Fijian players plying their trade in Europe.
Until this is sorted, we will always witness a depleted Fijian side playing in Tests.
He said when the teams from the Pacific competed in the Rugby World Cup, they had their best players.
This is the only time they are at full strength and do very well, he said. However, this should be the trend for Test matches as well.
Tabua said the failure of Pacific teams to have their top players was always a concern.
That is correct and we need to look at the global calendar, Tabua said. If Fiji is to get to the top, we must have the best players.
Last week Tonga Rugby Union officials joined Fiji in pleading to the IRB for help to secure players contracted by rich European clubs.
You saw what we can do when we get our hands on the real team for a month at the World Cup, Tonga coach Quddus Fieea told Oceaniarugby.com.
Imagine what we could do if we had them together for a couple of months to prepare
Oliver, whose Toulon contract expired this June, said that he was impressed by the performance of the Fijian side during the RWC last year and had tipped that there was a lot to learn from us.
They played really well. They reached the quarters after displaying attractive and attacking rugby. We can tell that they really enjoyed themselves, Oliver said.
He added that he does not have any plans to coach any of the Pacific sides in future because if he had the passion he could have become one by now.
No I dont think so, he said.
I have cut down rugby so long and played many years and now I think I would like to explore new things that interest me.
Its not really a passion and if it was then I would have done it today.
On his favorites rugby players, he said they were Fijians. Not mentioning any particular names, Oliver said that all the Fijian players he has played with have been his best players.
Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Lote Tuqiri and others have been my best players because they are always happy and in joy which really makes me their fan, Oliver said.
He will be in the country for next two weeks after which he will fly off to Oxford University where he is pursuing his career in Biodiversity, Environment and Management.
