6 December, 2025, 7:53 am Central - 26°C Rain

Flying Fijians’ initiative to reconnect with people has never happened before and is special - Cawanibuka

Flying Fijians’ initiative to reconnect with people has never happened before and is special - Cawanibuka

By Mosese Raqio
18/07/2023
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Head of Athletic Performance Naca Cawanibuka

The Fiji Water Flying Fijians’ initiative of reconnecting with the people when they moved their training camp to Taveuni was something that has never been done before in any of the Rugby World Cup preparations in the past and it is special.

This has been highlighted by Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Head of Athletic Performance, Naca Cawanibuka during a fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan.

Cawanibuka who is now working with the Flying Fijians coaching staff for this Pacific Nations Cup campaign and the upcoming RWC says, there were times in the past when people had criticised the team tagging them as the “hotel team” as they have been away from the people for their whole time of preparation.

He says going back to when the Rugby World Cup started, there were no preparations like this done in the past by any Flying Fijians team and in this World Cup, the boys are representing the people.

He further says the coaching staff has even kept track of the game minutes that each player has played in different competitions, from the Top 14 competition and other competitions in Europe right to the Super Rugby Pacific competition.

Cawanibuka adds it is also a good environment and is also a great opportunity to bring out the best in each other and the coaching staff is working towards that.

The Flying Fijians will take on Tonga at 3pm Saturday in round 1 of the Pacific Nations Cup at Churchill Park.

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Attorney General must work closely with the GCC on reform of native land laws - President
The principle of free, prior, informed consent or the requirement for effective consultations is crucial to the reform of our laws on native land and ...
15 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Deaf respondents were among the most affected by online abuse during COVID-19 survey
Findings from the Fiji Disabled People’s Federation and the Disability Rights Fund survey show that during COVID-19, 24 percent of respondents ...
14 hours ago

$140,000 renovation project of Empower Pacific Counselling Centre aims to provide improved services
A $140,000 renovation project, funded through a donation by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has seen the soft-launch of the Empower ...
14 hours ago

People's Fiji and Next Gen Alliance Party applications released for public objection
The Fijian Elections Office has confirmed the publication of applications from two proposed political parties. Speaking to the media, Supervisor ...
15 hours ago

Tourism Fiji strengthens its engagement with operators in Vanua Levu and Taveuni
A platform for open discussion on opportunities, constraints, and pathways to improve tourism outcomes in Vanua Levu and Taveuni was the main focus ...
16 hours ago

Vou makes history as first Fijians to headline major NZ Arts Festival
A proud moment for Fiji’s creative industry is on the horizon, as Vou Dance Company prepares to make history on two of New Zealand’s major arts ...
17 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Law Society Convention 2025
There is a constant struggle that we seem to have in Fiji with upholding and respecting the rule of law, and in my view, I think it starts at the ...
22 hours ago

Tribunal case of suspended Commissioner of Corrections Dr Nakarawa
Tribunal proceedings for suspended Corrections Commissioner Dr Nakarawa are underway, focusing on allegations of misbehaviour during his tenure as ...
22 hours ago

Inspire Pacific Founder Ben Morrison and Peer Mentor Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Pastor Ben Morrison and Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan as they discuss Inspire Pacific’s specialised ...
2 days ago

TOP