Tough decisions will be made on Thursday by the board of the Fiji Rugby Union after the Fiji 15s team’s disappointing performance in this year’s Rugby World Cup.
There are indications that some of the coaches involved on the coaching panel will go as questions continue to be raised on the team’s lackluster performance.
A 19 member official team went with the 30 member Fiji team to NZ.
The coaching panel for Fiji in this Rugby World Cup was made up of eight people.
This included Samu Domoni Junior as coach, Shannon Fraser as backline coach, Greg Mumm as forwards coach, Naca Cawanibuka as Head Strength and Conditioning coach, Michael Foely as scrum coach, Mosese Rauluni as halfback coach, David Dwyer as Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach and Reverend Joji Rinakama as Assistant Forwards coach.
The remaining official team included a psychologist, a video analyst, two physiotherapists, a Manager, Logistics Manager, Administrator, Assistant Manager and a Media Manager.
Many people have said that the team performed the way it did because they have been trained out of playing Fijian rugby.
The coaching panel, not only Domoni are expected to be held accountable.
Fiji Rugby Union Chairman Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga who received a part of the team that arrived in Nadi from NZ earlier today, said he has thanked the players for playing for Fiji but he said the FRU will now make the decision which is best for Fiji rugby.
After the traditional Fijian welcome ceremony for the team in Nadi this afternoon, Colonel Tikoitoga said he made the FRU’s stand clear, and the board will also speak to the coaches and players on what went wrong in NZ.
Colonel Tikoitoga said the whole build-up to the RWC will be assessed.
The Government provided $3 million towards the team’s preparation and participation at the 2011 RWC.
Meanwhile Former All Black and Fiji’s 1999 Rugby World Cup coach, Brad Johnstone said he is ready to assist in moving Fiji rugby forward after our disappointing performance in this World Cup.
When asked by Fijivillage on whether he is ready to assist Fiji rugby, Johnstone who now runs a resort in Nadi said he is always willing to help.
Johnstone said a lot of issues need to be seriously considered and the Fiji 15s team’s performance in this World Cup just proves what has been happening at the FRU for about three years.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Feature
Heads may roll following FRU board meeting
