FLYING Fijians head coach John McKee is confident that his warriors will produce some of the best outcomes in the history of Fiji rugby in the Rugby World Cup in September but with agitation.
The Fiji Airways-sponsored side proved that nothing is impossible when they defeated a highly rated France rugby side in the November Test match last year but McKee is concerned of unexpected injuries that may hinder the team’s preparation to the World Cup in Japan.
McKee said the competition of the overseas and local-based players battling for a spot in the final 30-member squad was intense and he had a wide range of players to select from depending on their consistency and physical conditions.
“In terms of what I’m worried about it’s always injuries because we got some world-class players who are competing in overseas clubs such as Semi Radradra, Josua Tuisova in France and Leone Nakarawa and they are exposed to getting injured before the tournament and that is my main concern,” said McKee.
“We have some young local players coming up who have shown their capabilities in the match against France and they have proven themselves and to put them together with the top class players will be great. The Flying Fijians team has shown improvement in their performance for the past four years when they were ranked 16 in the world to the eight position just a few months before the World Cup.
McKee said Fiji had a unique mindset of rugby where the game plan was unexpected.
“Part of our game plan is to surprise people and with the special talents in Fiji, we can adapt in different places in different days with different teams,” McKee said.
“We’ve always played with our flares and to use our ability in attack with the set pieces and our rugged defence can turn the play to offence.
Meanwhile Fiji is pooled with Australia, Wales, Georgia and Uruguay.
Their first match will be against Australia on September 21, then they take on Uruguay on September 25, then they will face Georgia on October 3 before their final pool match against Wales on October 9.
