FIJIAN players have to change their attitude towards sevens rugby to be able to match the standard required at the international stage.
So says Samurai Barracudas coach Sailosi Naiteqe Sr, adding there had been a gradual decline in the performance of the local players lately.
Basing his analysis on the Uprising Fiji International 7s tournament, the newly-appointed Naitasiri coach said most local players had failed to take a professional approach towards rugby.
He said while 7s rugby had turned modern, players were still living in the past, practising things which do not help in the development of the sport.
Naiteqe said there was no lack of talented 7s rugby players in the country but the off-field attitude of many players was a problem.
"Sevens rugby has become very professional now and much advanced than it was several years back," he said.
"This (Uprising 7s) is the first major tournament in Fiji and you look at how the top local clubs played in this tournament.
"We have just come from the festive season and I noticed most of the players committing themselves there instead of maintaining their focus in rugby.
"If they want to play professional rugby, they need to live the lifestyle that suits them. Modern rugby is about organising yourself properly where daily training is very important.
"In general, the off field discipline of our players is really poor. While we may be superior in fitness and other aspects on field, our players don't have a strong will power to do right things off the field."
Naiteqe said the Fiji Rugby Union should educate the players and team management on the importance of maintaining discipline off field to become better players. Meanwhile, he hailed the organisers of the Uprising 7s for bringing an international 7s tournament to our shores and giving local clubs an opportunity to see the level they were in.