FRU targets Skipper Cup talent

The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) is committed in developing our local-based players in order to have bigger pool of top class players. 

This was view of FRU board chairman John Sanday during an interview with SUNsports yesterday. 

The former Flying Fijians No.8 revealed that Fiji has been invited to send a team to a tournament in South Africa, this year. 

“This tournament is organised by the South Africa Rugby Union,” he said. 

“There will be four teams (in the tournament) South Africa A, Georgia and Fiji with the fourth team yet to be finalised.” 

Sanday told SUNsports that he was of the view that we should be sending a team comprising mainly of players from the Skipper Cup to build on the Skipper Select XV team that FRU is investing in. 

“I want a bigger pool of top class players that have tasted international competition so they can bring that back to our Skipper Cup provincial competition. We can have an exciting one this year. Also it is developing a bigger pool of properly developed players to compete for positions for the Flying Fijians as we get into the Rugby Nations Cup and the Rugby World Cup next year.” 

Sanday on World Cup fixtures 

Meanwhile, the fixtures of the 2027 Rugby World Cup was launched in Sydney, Australia, yesterday. 

The Fiji Water sponsored Flying Fijians take on Spain in the RWC opener on Monday, October 4, in Newcastle while the remaining pool games against Canada, on October 10 and Argentina on October 16 in Adelaide. 

Sanday said he was delighted with the announcement of the venues. 

“Our first pool game is against Spain on Monday, 4th October in Newcastle. We played the Wallabies in Newcastle last year and should have won that game so Newcastle has a good luck feel about it for us. 

“It is also a central location for the gathering of the Fijian diaspora in NSW (New South Wales) and Queensland so we will be expecting a big turnout of Flying Fijians supporters to cheer us on.” 

Sanday said the game against Canada is played six days later. 

“I am happy that we have two consecutive pool games at Adelaide, as this will give us a very good and stable build up period for our final pool game against Argentina. 

“Isn’t it ironic that the chairmen of the two unions, Fiji and Argentina both played number 8 for their countries in the inaugural rugby World Cup match? 

“Gabriel Travagglini was number 8 for the Pumas while I, (Sanday) was number 8 for the Flying Fijians at the biggest upset (Fiji won 28-9) of the first ever Rugby World Cup match that took place on Rugby Park, Hamilton on May 24, 1987. 

“We have both become chairmen of our respective Unions at this time. I am sure the Pumas will want to even up the record in the next World Cup, It’s eerie, but I am clear that history will repeat itself in Adelaide,” Sanday added.