Our loss to Fiji on Saturday was a wake up call - Maori All Blacks lock Franklin

Our loss to Fiji on Saturday was a wake up call - Maori All Blacks lock Franklin
[R] Maori All Blacks lock Tom Franklin [Photo:Getty Images]

Maori All Blacks lock Tom Franklin says their loss to Fiji on Saturday was a wake-up call for their side.

Franklin says it was a bit of a smack in the face for the boys but they have been working really hard and everyone has been doing their part behind the scenes to get ready to battle against the Fijians and try to redeem themselves.

He says they were not surprised by the way Fiji played, they were disciplined, they held the ball for long periods of time and  they've got that Fijian flair with the offloads which is pretty hard to stop.

Franklin says their focus this week has been on being smarter across several smaller aspects of their game.

He adds the fact they hadn't played together was not an excuse.

He says they have good rugby players who have been playing in the Super Rugby competition and they should have been better so they are looking forward to the game on Saturday.

The Fiji Airways Flying Fijians will play the Maori All Blacks at 7.35pm Saturday in Rotorua.

FNRL

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