17 January, 2026, 12:43 pm Central - 29°C Rain

We don’t want to put expectations on where we will finish in the World Cup – Raiwalui

We don’t want to put expectations on where we will finish in the World Cup – Raiwalui

By Navitalai Naivalurua
27/06/2023
Simon Raiwalui [Image: File]

The Fiji Water Flying Fijians side will not be putting a target to where they finish in the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France as they want to focus first on preparing the team well.

Coach Simon Raiwalui says they will first prepare well for their Pacific Nations Cup next month as they will play their first game at home.

He says they don’t want to put expectations on where they want to finish, but their focus is getting their players to be physically and mentally prepared.

Raiwalui confirmed that former Naitasiri coach Reverend Joji Rinakama will be the team’s spiritual counsellor, and Fijian Drua Head of Athletic Performance Nacanieli Cawanibuka will also be part of the coaching team.

Fiji will host Tonga at 12pm on the 22nd of July at Churchill Park, Lautoka in their Pacific Nations Cup match, they will then face Samoa in Apia at 12pm on the 29th of July, and the side will then play Japan in Tokyo at 10.15pm on the 5th of August.

In their pre-World Cup matches in August, Fiji will play France at 7.05am on the 20th and meet England at 2.15am on the 27th.

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Coral Coast 7s: Police Blue to take on Yaro Chiefs while Mike Friday Select face Ravuka Sharks in the semis
The men’s semi-final matchups are locked in at the McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji 7s, with four top sides set to clash at Lawaqa Park this afternoon....
34 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Concerns raised over rising hit-and-run cases, police call for driver responsibility
Concerns are being raised over the increasing number of hit-and-run cases, with Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Aporosa Lutunauga urging the public ...
7 minutes ago

Supporting women fishers strengthens families and future generations
Over 50 percent of coastal fisheries users and more than 90 percent of freshwater resource users are women, highlighting the critical role women ...
10 minutes ago

Visually impaired users struggle with new banknotes
A note identifier card is set to be introduced as an interim measure to help persons with visual impairment distinguish between Fiji’s new ...
26 minutes ago

Lakeba Airport runway expansion considered to boost Lau tourism
The Government is exploring the expansion of Lakeba Airport’s runway to accommodate an ATR-42 aircraft as part of broader efforts to boost ...
1 hour ago

Harry Styles confirms new album 'Kiss All The Time', set for March release
The wait is over for Harry Styles fans.He he has announced his return to music.The pop star has been teasing fans since December with cryptic ...
2 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
15 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
26 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
26 days ago

TOP