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Fiji's new strategy to improve 15-man game and it could be bad news for 7's
By Chris Jones
The Fiji Rugby Union is taking steps to control the country’s love of Sevens which it believes is hampering attempts to make the country a force in the 15-a-side game with national selectors only attending sanctioned events in future.
Fiji, the reigning Olympic sevens champions, will create an official window for the popular shorter version of the sport in the country from November to March every year. This was confirmed by FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor because of what he insisted to local media there was a great need for FRU to sanction all 7s tournament within a defined period.
O’Connor indicated that unions had raised their concerns at the number of 7s tournament organised around the country which was hurting the preparation of players for the 15s season. The FRU is concerned that the number of sevens events were a distraction and many did not comply with minimum safety and player welfare requirements.
“We want the players to have proper rest after each season and have a proper off season programme so they perform well in our domestic competitions and compete for positions in the Under-20, the Fiji Warriors and likewise get contracted for the Fiji Drua,” said O’Connor.
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“Unions had raised their serious concerns during our special general meeting when we laid out the fifteens season to the union representatives and asked them if they could ensure that their players have time to rest or recuperate and have a good off-season since FRU were concerned about their players welfare.
“We at FRU also received complaints on how some of these tournaments were organised. It’s things like the winning teams not getting their prize-money, referees not being paid, no proper medical personal on the ground and so forth.
“Also our national 7s coaches will only be at our sanctioned tournaments to scout for potential players,” O’Connor said.
”FRU is in collaboration with the Fiji Rugby Referees Association, it will ensure that only registered match officials will officiate in the sanctioned tournaments.”
All 7s tournament applications are to be at FRU headquarters by March 1.
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Latest Comments
I was at this match. Jordie Barrett earned his money with a massive hit to slow a connaught attack to win the math when Leinster had 14 in the last few mins. Mack Hansen had a real go at the refereeing after citing a serious head hits on Iaone and Aki.
connaught were up for this. Snyman tried a trademark dirty after, and the onnaught 4 and the onnaught pack absolutely laid into him.
Leinster hose to kick to the corner when only winning by 5 with 10 left and qith only 2 tries scored. onnaught should have punisihed them for that utter stupidity after they broke out and Leinster yellowed to stop the attack.
13 changes from last week. It seems teams are scoring about 10 points less against Leinster this year. With Neinaber in his second year, the new attack coah established, surely they will be a bigger threat in champions up? Or will the attack recgress further.
They must adopt the SA philosophy of take your 3 pointers and the bonus points will come.
connaught back line inluding Iaone, Murphy, Aki, Forde, cordero is the seond best in Ireland surely. Leinster were lucky here
Go to commentsShould have played more for England but he jumped ship just as he was breaking through.
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