Talemo's Tour Brief - Players promote Fiji 10 November, 2010

(L-R) Props - Graham Dewes, Deacon Manu and Campese Maafu.

As usual the day began with breakfast followed by the usual medical checks and strapping. This was followed by a team briefing in small groups and a joint session with the coaches before boarding the bus for training. 

Like yesterday it rained during the morning session though it did ease off slightly towards the end of the session. 

The training session itself was a split session with trainer Nacanieli Cawanibuka working with the backline in the gym while the forwards were with the coaches on the ground. When the sessions had finished everybody switched with the backs coming to the ground and the forwards doing gym work with Naca. 

The afternoon training session involved a full team run after there had been a video analysis session with the coaches on the opposition and a discussion on their various strengths and weaknesses and the execution of various moves likely to be used this weekend. 

After training Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer Keni Dakuidreketi, Napolioni Nalaga, Seremaia Bai and Gabirieli Lovobalavu attended a local rugby function and presented awards. Their presence was greatly appreciated by the local rugby fraternity. 

Players like Nalaga, Bai and Lovobalavu are seen as heroes among the community because they play for top French clubs here in France. This was all part of our public relations to help generate goodwill in the community towards Fiji as well as generate interest in the Test match this weekend. 

In the evening team management announced the team captain and the announcement was well received by all players. A senior player stood up to congratulate the team captain and informed everyone that management’s choice was also the choice of the players and they will give their best in the coming tour under the leadership of the captain. 

A good heavy dinner after a hard day awaited the team and before 9:30 PM almost everyone was in bed. Despite the day’s heavy load everyone enjoyed it. 

All – players and management - are in good spirits and looking forward to their massage tomorrow. Ten French masseurs will be in to massage our players for an hour each from 9:00 AM to midday. I think some management may also find time for a massage!!! 

Also tomorrow we will hold a press conference at 1:30 PM to officially announce the captain and arrange various interviews for the local and international media. 

In the afternoon all Fiji based players and two French based players will attend a local school rugby carnival as guests where they will sign autographs and do the usual meet and greet. They will then have a shopping day in the City of Nantes until 5:00 PM when the bus will pick them up again. 

After tomorrow’s team meeting and lotu the team is scheduled to have dinner outside of the hotel at a nearby restaurant. 

That’s all for today. Moce mada.