THE boys need your support. That's the plea from Flying Fijians manager Aseri Rokoura to all Fiji rugby fans as the team was farewelled at a special church service at the Butt St Wesley Church in Suva yesterday.
"The boys need your prayers and support," Rokoura said.
"The boys have prepared well and they are ready to do the job they have been assigned to do."
Rokoura said that after a dismal performance by the Flying Fijians last year, they wanted to take Fiji rugby back to where it was before.
"We all know that our performance dropped last year but our boys are ready for the job they have been assigned to do and help lift Fiji rugby to where it was before," Rokoura said.
Fiji Rugby Union chairman Mosese Tikoitoga told the players they must give their best.
Tikoitoga said he was confident the players would give do well during the tour.
"Be proud and show everyone what you can do," Tikoitoga said.
Tikoitoga also emphasised the importance of being a good ambassador during the tour.
"Be a good ambassador inside and outside the field, just do your job and people will give their support," Tikoitoga said.
In delivering his sermon, Reverend Eroni Moce told the players they must have against some of the top teams in European rugby.
"You must have faith and work together as a team," Moce said.
"It has been said that this is an inexperienced team but you should know that if you have faith and unity in the team you will be able to achieve your mission."
The church service was attended by all the local-based players plus those from Australia, New Zealand and Japan, their families, friends and the management of FRU.
The Flying Fijians had earlier in the morning presented their itatau to the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau at Government House.
Ratu Epeli reminded the team that tour will be tough and likened it to the biblical story of the battle between David and Goliath.
Ratu Epeli told the players and team management the itatau was a very emotional and traditional ceremony especially as the team had come to tell him that they were prepared for anything during the tour.
The Bau chief also reminded the players that after the disappointment of last year's fifteens world cup, this tour marks the beginning of a new campaign leading to the next RWC in 2015.
The team is yet to announce its skipper for the tour but officials have confirmed that they will make an announcement after the Europe-based players join the team in London.
The Flying Fijians start their 2012 Europe tour with a Test against England next Saturday.
The side travels to Nadi today and flies out from Nadi International Airport tomorrow morning.