Fiji Airways Flying Fijians head coach John McKee wants to hold on to his job.

“Why should I step down?” he asked, after members of the media questioned him at Nadi International Airport yesterday. Calls were made for his removal after the Flying Fijians team’s failure to qualify for the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals in Japan. They only registered one win in the pool games.

They also lost to minnows Uruguay 30- 27 in what was dubbed as one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup.

The only consolation was attaining third place in Pool D to qualify directly to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

It is understood that McKee’s contract with the Fiji Rugby Union, which was extended in 2017, was to end after this year’s Rugby World Cup.

He also coached the Flying Fijians to the 2015 Rugby World Cup where they also won one of their four pool matches.

McKee highlighted that his future rests with the Fiji Rugby Union board of directors.

“A lot of learning comes out of these campaigns, even the learnings from this one carrying forward can be very beneficial, but you know the decision will be with the board.

“They (FRU Board) will do their reviews and I guess make a decision later in the year.”

McKee also said that he is looking forward to working with the team.

“I’m certainly very interested in continuing with the team. I think we have made a lot of progress since I have been here. So for now looking at our younger group of players and looking at their potential to be in the next RWC and also look at a strategy to bring them into the team in the next two years.”

Fiji Airways Flying Fijians Semi Radradra and Vereniki Goneva arrive at the Nadi International Airport on October 15, 2019. Photo: Waisea Nasokia

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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