The Flying Fijians U20 extended squad head into camp today as they prepare for the 2023 Under 20 World Rugby Championship from June 24 to July 14 in Cape-Town, South Africa.

Speaking to SUNsports, Flying Fijians U20 co-captain Kavaia Tagivetaua said although preparations have been good, there have also been a few hiccups.

“I’d like to thank the coach, management for giving their time and the boys for raising their hand to represent their country.

“A lot of the boys were part of the U18, U19 along with Pasi (Naevo) as most had a close connection with him and when he passed away some of them found it hard to return to the team,” he said.

Currently 36 of the 53-member squad are camping at the Bergengren House, in Suva; 17 overseas-based are on their way to joining those in camp while the rest are with the touring Warriors side now in Samoa.

“We’re in with the mindset to come and do the hard yards in training.

“We’ve overcome the difficulties and training sessions leading to the World Cup, that was hard.”

The Flying Fijians U20 are ranked 11th; they are in pool B alongside heavyweights Australia (seeded 2), England (5) and Ireland (8).

“We’re focused in our first match against Australia.

“Half of the team played in the Super Rugby U20 tournament where we managed to experience the level overseas boys play.

“We are sharing that experience with the rest of the boys to match up to that level.”

Experience

Tagivetaua was part of the Fijian Drua U20 side that played against the U20 Blues, Crusaders and Moana Pacific.

“It was good experience; we learnt a lot of things especially at that level of rugby.

Despite the losses to the U20 Blues (7-51) and Crusaders (22-50) side, the Fijian U20 Drua team managed to win against Moana Pacific 33-26.

“Mostly for forwards it’s the scrums as we matched the scrums playing against the local provincial teams but the level of the overseas U20 team is completely different.

“Now that we are back we are trying to improve on that area.”

With their first match against Australia, Tagivetaia says: “Nothing is impossible as the priority for us is to properly execute the set pieces, scrums and the lineouts.” 

Story by: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj