Fijian Drua Must Step Up: Cotter

Fijian Drua players need to step-up when it comes to play­ing for the Flying Fijians alongside world class talent includ­ing European-based stars Semi Radradra, Levani Botia and Wai­sea Nayacalevu.

Flying Fijians head coach Vern Cotter made the comment follow­ing his first visit to Fiji due to travel restrictions.

He had first stopped over in Australia to watch the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua losing 28-33 to Queensland Reds three weeks ago.

Cotter then flew to Fiji to watch the domestic Skipper Cup competi­tion and was also a speaker at the coaches’ workshop in Nadi.

Flying Fijians head coach Vern Cotter says they need to get better in every game leading to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

A close source confirmed yester­day that Cotter was back in Aus­tralia; he returns to Fiji after two weeks.

He is at the meantime preparing for the July tests against Tonga and Samoa.

“We’re not wasting time and we have to get better in every game."

"Come the World Cup we’ve got to be stronger, tough and mentally tough­er,” Cotter said.

The Flying Fijians will step up their preparations with their No­vember tests against Ireland and Scotland and a match with the French Barbarians.

Respective dates and venues are yet to be confirmed.

Fiji head coach Vern Cotter wants to see a more clinical attitude from his squad and highlighted the chance to beat Wales in the autumn test series as evidence of the ground that still needs to be made up before the World Cup when they will be in the same pool as the Welsh, Austral­ia, Georgia and the final qualifier.

Wales won 38-23 in November in Cardiff after wing Eroni Sau was sent off for a swinging arm that connected with Wales back Johnny Williams in the 25th minute when Fiji led 13-7.

Cotter, who was unable to be at the match due to travel restrictions, also saw his men pick up two yellow cards.

“We (Flying Fijians) should have beaten Wales but we gave it away in those last few minutes."

“We should work on how to man­age our game right to the final whis­tle."

"It makes a big difference to win by three points or to lose by three.”

Significantly, Cotter was heartened by the level of skills displayed dur­ing the Skipper Fiji Rugby Champi­onship and said: “I was impressed with the Nadroga side as they had a young team with some players from the HPU (High Performance Unit).

“Despite the wet conditions the Nadroga players were making those passes and creating spaces as well."

"The scrums were good too and there are lots of talents.”

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