Performance first, says Seruvakula

The inaugural Nations Championship is about good performance and the win will take care of itself.

Interim Flying Fijians head coach Senirusi Seruvakula said they would train their best during the 11 days of camp before the kick-off of the competition.

Fiji faces Wales at Cardiff City Stadium in their opening match on July 4 before they host England at Hill Dickinson Stadium on July 11. The series concludes on July 18, with a clash against Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium.

Seruvakula said the short time of preparation has always happened in the past.

“The advantage is that our players are professionals. In that short period - they come, meet and they perform. It’s not new,” Seruvakula said.

“For me, the main focus is to have a good performance. We prepare well in training, and the rest will take care of itself.

“This team is not Fiji rugby’s team; it’s our chiefs’ team and the people of Fiji.”

Seruvakula is confident he has what it takes to be in charge of the national side and he thanked the Fiji Rugby Union administrators for trusting him with the job.

He was the understudy during the 2015 Rugby World Cup and was part of the coaching staff at the 2023 RWC in France.

He spent six years with the Fiji Warriors and started the Fijian Drua in 2017 which played in the Australia’s National Rugby Championship.

He said coaching Flying Fijians players was not new; he previously coached most them including Caleb Muntz and Tevita Ikanivere.

“It’s about experience. The decision is made by the FRU chief executive officer and the board. When you come into this job, you will have friends and you will have enemies,” Seruvakula said.

“As coaches, we are judged on performance on the field.

“This is another big step for me, it’s an honour. I believe that I have the experience and I have the qualifications - Level one, two, three, and level 4 in Australia. I’ve been with the Flying Fijians when we beat the Barbarian in 2019.

“I’m not new to the environment; These players know me, they understand me and know how I operate.

“We can only wait after the first game against Wales on July 4.”