Players ordered to 'switch off' from rugby

Fiji Times - Tuesday, December 11, 2007 8:15 AM

FIJI rugby coach Ilivasi Tabua wants his overseas-based stars to have a complete rest from rugby prior to the start of the international commitments next year.

Most players who featured for the Flying Fijians at the Rugby World Cup have been regular starters for their club sides in Europe.

Majority of the players who ply their trade in Europe flew straight back to their clubs and have been involved in weekly matches.

"It is great to see our reps playing each week and making the starting teams," Tabua said.

"But we need to get the players to rest as well and that is the only concern which we have.

"There has been non stop rugby played by these players and they need to get away from it before we start international commitments next year."

Fiji's major matches next year are in the Pacific Nations Cup which starts in June and some proposed Test matches in the mid year.

"We need to get the players away from rugby all together and this means no playing, talking, watching or thinking rugby," he said.

"Time must be spent with families and getting minds refreshed."

There are plans in the pipeline to get the national reps away from rugby two weeks before the side starts preparations for the PNC.

"The idea is to get them here early and allow them to switch off from rugby before preparations start," Tabua said.

Kameli Ratuvou and Sakuisa Matadigo were on the scoresheet for their Saracens club which thumped Viadana 71-7 in a Heineken Cup encounter yesterday.

Ratuvou, who has been one of the most impressive performers for the Sarries in recent time, got a brace of tries.

The former Naroi, Moala native was on the wing.

Matadigo, a former Fijian international in both sevens and XVs got a try playing at flanker.

The former Suva Grammar School student has been a regular in the Saracens side.

Fijian skipper Mosese Rauluni also plays for the side but was not in the match day 22.

Elsewhere, national reps Seru Rabeni and Maleli Kunavore both came off the bench for their respective clubs.

Rabeni's Leicester Tigers beat Kunavore and Toulouse 14-9.

Neither of the two managed to get on the scoreboard.

Prop Deacon Manu and Scarlets lost 29-16 to Munster while wing Vilimoni Delasau and Seremaia Bai were not in the team for Clermont Auvergne which beat Wasps 37-27.

Fiji number eight Akapusi Qera was at number eight as Gloucester thumped Bourgoin 31-7.