Salusalu urges FRU to rethink coaching ahead of Rugby World Cup

Having an overseas head coach is the way forward for the Flying Fijians.

This was the view of former Flying Fijians star centre, Kavaia Salusalu.

He told SUNsports yesterday that having an expatriate coach would benefit the Flying Fijians in many ways ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup (RWC) in Australia.

Salusalu said his views are based on watching the Flying Fijians 39-24 loss to Wales in the Nations Championship opener followed by last Sunday’s 73-8 thrashing to England.

“Why was there a big difference in the score-line when comparing the opening game against Wales and then England, a week later,” he questioned.

“We played well against Wales but then suffered a heavy loss against England. It shouldn’t be like that.”

Salusalu suspects that there could be a disconnect between the head coach and the players.

“The team (Fiji) lacked intensity when they played England and to me that tells of the relationship between the head coach and players.

“I don’t know what the relationship is like between the head coach and the players, but that is something that needs to be looked at,” he said.

The 69-year-old represented the Flying Fijians from 1982-1990. He played at the 1987 RWC alongside current FRU board chairman John Sanday and former Reds prop Peni Volavola.

Salusalu switched to rugby league and played for the Fiji Bati at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup in England.

Salusalu said another area of concern is the selection process.

“That’s why with an overseas coach; the focus of selection is based on merit and getting the best available players in. They (overseas coach) don’t take sides.”

Salusalu warned that the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) board of di-rectors should carefully consider the direction they are taking when it comes to selecting of the Flying Fijians head coach, since the RWC is just around the corner.

“We are getting closer to the Rugby World Cup, but we need to do the right things for the sake of Fiji Rugby,” he added.

The Flying Fijians face Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday (Fiji time).

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