Skipper, Super Rugby Run Parallel
This year’s Skipper Provincial Cup competition will run parallel with the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer John O’Connor said: “We had a request from the Fijian Drua to have the Skipper Cup competition running parallel with Super Rugby. This is in case they need players to join them when it comes to injuries.”
“The challenge now is for local players playing in the Skipper Cup to meet the set standards.”
The Skipper Cup and INKK Fiji Rugby Farebrother trophy challenge competition start on March 19.
Last week some teams played warm-up matches as part of their buildup to this year’s season.
“This will boost the performance of our local players as they will aim to be part of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua backup players.
In an early interview with Sunsports Flying Fijians head coach Vern Cotter urged team trainers and coaching staff to lift their condi¬tioning programme to help boost the tempo of provincial and international games.
“Standards must be set with a new mindset that drives the players into sustaining good nutrition,” Cotter said.
“Strength and conditioning coaches should prepare good training programme for the teams,” he said.
“They should set the standards in making sure that the players are able to raise the pace and the tempo of the game.”
Cotter stressed that set pieces were an important part of the game that need to be monitored.
“It’s time our local teams take the initiative in moving wagon forward to lay a good platform for Super Rugby outing.
Meanwhile the big boys of local rugby have been out and about doing their pre-season training and warm up games.
Last weekend Tailevu hosted Namosi at the Mokani school grounds while INKK Fiji Rugby Farebrother Trophy holders Naitasiri played Rewa at Ratu Cakobau park number two.
The results of the warm up games has indicated of how the interesting the competition will be this season.
Feedback: simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj
