Cotter: Simi To Step Up

Flying Fijians halfback Simione Kuruvoli will have big shoes to fill in the first All Blacks test next week if the Trans-Tasman bubble does not open up.

This is after the three Flying Fijians squad members from Australia have not made it to New Zealand yet.

New Zealand has currently stopped flights from Australia due to the latest surge in the COVID-19 pandemic.

And halfbacks Frank Lomani, Mosese Sorovi and first five –eighth Teti Tela are yet to join camp in Christchurch.

Flying Fijians head coach Vern Cotter said the opening of Trans-Tasman bubble is uncertain.

But he looks forward to their first training session together on Saturday.

“We’ve local players, some 7s players who are very fit and very fast.

“For Simi he might have to step up and fill in a big role for a young player like him. As three players are still in Queensland, Australia,” Cotter said.

It has been a tough week of preparation and training in quarantine for our Flying Fijians, however, Cotter said they are trying to make best use of the time they have.

“The transition is different and these players have adapted well, we plan and been conducting training through zoom.

“It is the way it is.

“We have not played the All Blacks in 15 years and this is going to be beneficial. The objective is to win one of these Test matches.

This opportunity is ideal.

Radradra’s Exclusion

While they might miss the service of former Flying Fijians captain, Semi Radradra, Cotter indicated they also have experienced and leadership qualities in senior players.

“Radradra was our captain in the Autumn Nations Cup but we have other metro leaders, like Levani Botia, who is captain now.

“We also have leadership qualities in other players such as Leone Nakarawa and Ben Volavola.

“They are leaders in their own right.”

The full squad is expected to be all together next week as some players are yet to arrive.

Eroni Mawi, Peceli Yato and Peni Ravai have left France later than scheduled and should be arriving next week.