Fraser Talk: Sunny Skies up North 22 April, 2011

As Fiji Rugby builds up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup join Flying Fijians assistant coach Shannon Fraser as he gives a regular insight into team preparations.

Under the bright sunny skies of the great northern lands, fellow Fijian Assistant National Coach Greg Mumm and myself covered more than 4000 kilometres as we visited twenty-seven players from sixteen clubs across four countries over ten days.

From the cobble streets of Dublin to the Mediterranean coastline of Southern France the messages were all very similar, “I’m available and excited about the possibility of representing Fiji at the RWC”.

The purpose of this whirlwind reconnaissance was to not only source information as to the individual circumstances and the availability of several overseas based players, but to also clearly and accurately explain in detail the expectations and relevant components of the Flying Fijian Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) and Rugby World Cup (RWC) preparation schedule.

Communication can be the difference between succeeding and failing both on and off the field; therefore it’s an area that we are consciously focusing on in our preparations.

Additionally, as mentioned briefly in my previous article titled ‘Collaboration’ this was a great opportunity to gain an insight into the rugby knowledge of several experienced players and the tactical direction of their clubs. The game has changed significantly over the past 18 months and is vastly different to that played in the 2007 campaign and therefore we are compelled to evolve with it if we are to succeed.

It’s encouraging to see that several in-form clubs are playing the game similar to that of the proposed direction of the Flying Fijians. This will allow for a smooth transition and the strong form of several players to continue while donning the white jumper of Fiji later in the year should they be selected.

The recent success of the Pacific Rugby Cup winning Air Pacific Fiji Warriors along with individual form of several overseas based players makes for an exciting challenge ahead as we look towards the establishment of the Flying Fijian squad for the PNC and later in the year the RWC.

The skies are sunny up north, and over the many isles of Fiji.

Have a happy and safe Easter weekend.

Shannon is happy to field any comments you may have for him by emailing him at Shannon@fijirugby.net. 

View earlier articles from Shannon: 

Fraser Talk: Collaboration

Fraser Talk: Burn the Ships

Fraser Talk: Preparing to be the best