Skipper Select XV works on combinations

The Skipper Se­lect XV play­ers had their first gym session in Sigatoka yesterday.

Speaking to SUNsports, Skip­per Select XV head coach Rupeni Nasiga said the focus is on building their game. They take on the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua on Friday, February 6, at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

The clash is being tagged the 'Battle of Fiji' "For now, we are building our combinations so we can be ready for the game against the Drua," Nasiga said after their training at the HPU Gym in Lawaqa Park.

"The boys are doing well. We have a few injuries, but we are working closely with the medical team."

The former Flying Fijians lock said this build-up match was im­portant especially with the Skipper Cup season approaching after the festive break.

"It's a good build-up for the Skip­per Cup. The boys have just come back from the festive season and they are putting in the hard work now. When the Skipper Cup comes around, they will be ready."

Nasiga said most of the injurieswere minor and involved players who played in last weekend's Mc­Donald's Fiji Coral Coast 7s tourna­ment.

"They are just niggling injuries but we will have that covered in the coming days."

The coaching panel includes Jiuta Lutumailagi as backs coach while Timoci Tinaviti is the for­wards coach.

Tikiko Namaua is the strength and conditioning coach.

"We have a good coaching team here and we are building something strong. As coaches, we are working hard to prepare the boys so we can put up a good performance against the Drua," Nasiga said.

He said the match would also pro­vide a valuable opportunity for lo­cal players to prove themselves.

"It's good for development and it gives local boys a chance to show­case their talent and what they can do to earn a spot in the Drua squad."