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

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.