Bench costs Flying Fijians

The Fiji Water Flying Fijians players on the bench did not make an impact as expected, says interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula.

Fiji led against Scotland, 17-7 at halftime before Scotland kept them scoreless in the second half to win, 33-17 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, yesterday morning (Fiji time).

The bench included Peni Ravai, Livai Natave, Sam Matavesi, Mesake Vocevoce, Kitione Salawa, Sam Wye, Isikeli Rabitu and Salesi Rayasi.

Ravai and Natave took the field in the 47th minute while Salawa replaced Lekima Tagitagivalu in the 49th minute.

Temo Mayanavanua was replaced by Vocevoce, 20 minutes into the second half before Rabitu made his debut in the 68th minute replacing fellow debutant Virimi Vakatawa.

Rayasi, Wye and Matavesi took the field with seven minutes left to full time.

“We prepared well and we showed in the first half,” Seruvakula said at the post-match press conference.

“Our bench was not good; they did not come and lift the game. That’s what the last 20 minutes showed.”

He said the halftime message was to keep doing what they did in the first 40 minutes and to maintain discipline.

“Just work for each other, that was the message for half-time. It didn’t work for us.

“The boys lost concentration and gave away penalties. Sometimes we were casual and full credit to Scotland - they really played well and they deserve the win.

“Their bench was good; they carried the momentum of the game until the end. That’s why they never let down their pace.”

Seruvakula and his men lost all their three matches at the inaugural Nations Championship and are at the bottom of the table for the Southern Hemisphere teams, which is led by the Springboks; they are tied with 15 points with New Zealand.

He said the best turnout so far was at Edinburgh compared to Liverpool and Cardiff.

“I think this (Edinburgh) was the best because of the crowd. A lot of Fijians turned up.

“The weather was good. Hopefully one day we will host a game.”

Seruvakula added there has been a lot of learning following their three matches in the UK.

“We now know how we can gauge ourselves as a team. Also in selecting the players, we know where they are at the moment - who do we need to bring in or how do we monitor them. It’s a lot of learning.”

The Northern series of the championship for Rounds 4-6, will be hosted in November. It sees the South head North to play the other three teams across Europe, completing the round robin format.

The points will continue to be awarded and the rankings for the finals weekend will be confirmed in late November.