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Cotter's message to Fiji after big win over new look Tonga

Fijian players sing national anthem during the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup match between Tonga and Fiji at the HFC Bank stadium on July 2, 2022. (Photo by Leon LORD / AFP) (Photo by LEON LORD/AFP via Getty Images)

Head coach Vern Cotter is refusing to get carried away despite his Fiji team hammering Tonga 36-0 and wants another battling performance when they face Australia A at Churchill Park in Lautoka next weekend.

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Cotter expects a reaction from an Australia side that lost 31-26 to Samoa who now take on Tonga who lost star full back Israel Folau to injury in their disappointing loss to the hosts of the Pacific Nations Cup competition.

Securing the Cup is key for Cotter as he prepares for the November tests in the Northern Hemisphere and next year’s Rugby World Cup in France and he is expected to boost his line up against the Australians by recalling key players who were rested for the Tonga clash.

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Wales captain Dan Biggar speaks about the first-Test ‘niggle’ at Loftus Versfeld

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Wales captain Dan Biggar speaks about the first-Test ‘niggle’ at Loftus Versfeld

Cotter told local media: “We’re happy with a win. I thought our set pieces were pretty good – our lineouts and scrum were greatly effective. I think we got five points moving forward and if we look at the content of the game, we will be disappointed with ourselves. We made the game difficult, but in saying that there was probably more good and the intention was to fight. The boys fought well – start to finish – it was perfect that I really felt that desire had to do well.

“I spoke to the boys and they found the game very difficult. So, there’s something for us to work on and improve for next week. They ( the new players) were well supported by the old hands and what was pleasing to the whole squad was they were involved from the beginning of the week. They went out with confidence and I was impressed with the performance.

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“That’s good for us and provides competition for spots in the team and gives us more depth. I’m sure they’ll be ready. If we need them, they’ll be there.

“It’s (the PNC) great for all four teams moving forward, Tonga going for the World Cup qualifier, Samoa going for a lot of strength and they bring some overseas boys down here for experience.”

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Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu, is also looking for improvements and said:“We are not satisfied, but we did some mistakes on the field and we’ll learn from there and take it to Australia A next week. Especially, our discipline on our off-side and in the rucks.”

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S
SK 55 minutes ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

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J
JW 6 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Yep, no one knows what will happen. Thing is I think (this is me arguing a point here not a random debate with this one) they're better off trialing it now in a controlled environment than waiting to open it up in a knee jerk style reaction to a crumbling organtization and team. They can always stop it again.


The principle idea is that why would players leave just because the door is ajar?


BBBR decides to go but is not good enough to retain the jersey after doing it. NZ no longer need to do what I suggest by paying him to get back upto speed. That is solely a concept of a body that needs to do what I call pick and stick wth players. NZR can't hold onto everyone so they have to choose their BBBRs and if that player comes back from a sabbatical under par it's a priority to get him upto speed as fast as possible because half of his competition has been let go overseas because they can't hold onto them all. Changing eligibility removes that dilemma, if a BBBR isn't playing well you can be assured that someone else is (well the idea is that you can be more assured than if you only selected from domestic players).


So if someone decides they want to go overseas, they better do it with an org than is going to help improve them, otherwise theyre still basically as ineligible as if they would have been scorning a NZ Super side that would have given them the best chance to be an All Black.

147 Go to comments
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