Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

The Tier 1 side Fiji should have beat and the England star Cotter may want

Fiji front row forwards including Sam Matavesi ( centre ) New Zealand All Blacks v Fiji. Rugby Union test match at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand. Saturday 10 July 2021. © Mandatory photo credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Head coach Vern Cotter has given his verdict on the 2021 international season that saw Fiji miss an “enormous opportunity” to beat Wales on their European tour that saw him stuck in New Zealand.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cotter and the rest of the Fijian coaching group were unable to travel to Europe due to the pandemic for the win over Spain 43-13 , the 38-23 loss to Wales and 15-15 draw with Georgia with Gareth Baber, the former sevens gold medal winning coach taking charge of a European based squad for the matches.

According to Cotter the main challenge heading into 2022 – a year before the Rugby World Cup in France- is to “ develop new habits that will give us more opportunities to be competitive at the top level.”

Video Spacer

A Rugby Player’s Christmas and England’s Lewis Ludlam | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 15

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 57:28
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 57:28
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    A Rugby Player’s Christmas and England’s Lewis Ludlam | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 15

    With just one win from the five tests in 2021, Cotter reflected on a difficult year and told SUNSports: “Not being able to travel to Europe following the series against the All Blacks was hard for me and our coaching group. There are so many learnings that need to be pursued; concentration, discipline, tight 5 work in dark places, confidence in our strengths to be worked on.

    “We need to believe in our ability; take away everything we give to the opposition like penalties and yellow cards and we need to developing lucidity in pressure situations and so on. But we thrive on challenges!

    “There was great energy and purpose in the first match (lost 57-23) against the All Blacks – we got close but we don’t realise yet the potential we have. The leadership from Levani Botia was great; he is a hard-nosed warrior and sets a good example.

    “In the Second All Blacks (lost 60-13) test we pushed during the week for the team to improve. Disappointing performance really because we set high standards, the All Blacks picked their best team and we didn’t lift our game to match them. There were too many errors.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “There was not enough maturity within the group to grasp the importance of backing up two top performances. On a positive note, some young players showed talent and character. (Moses) Sorovi, Teti (Tela), (Eroni) Mawi, (Seta) Tuicuvu to name a few. Against Wales, I believe there was an enormous opportunity to win, they we not at their best but once again we gave them enough to let the game slide from our grasp.

    “The physical power we generate is impressive, teams struggle with it. Let’s be clear if we can keep work rate and accuracy for 80 minutes we will be difficult to beat. But, against Georgia, it was disappointing.”

    With former England No8 Nathan Hughes showing interest in switching to Fiji under the new World Rugby regulations, Cotter could have an influx of new players heading into the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He added: “The change in eligibility rules for players is exciting for Fiji rugby and will provide more depth and competition for positions going to the Rugby World Cup 2023.

    “Super Rugby (featuring Fiji Drua) will give us a number of players, it is the competition we need to perform consistently in.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Cotter singled out three players for special mention for their form in 2021 saying: “Botia for his character and competitiveness; Waisea (Nayacalevu) for his role as captain and try scorer in Europe and (Sam) Matavesi for his core skills and consistency.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

    New Zealand vs Australia: Behind the Scenes with the Black Ferns Sevens Team | HSBC SVNS Embedded | E06

    O2 Inside Line: This Rose | Episode 1

    Argentina v Australia | HSBC SVNS Perth 2025 | Men's Final Match Highlights

    New Zealand v Australia | HSBC SVNS Perth 2025 | Women's Final Match Highlights

    The Dupont Ploy: How France went from underdogs to Olympic gods | The Report

    Former rugby player is truly an NFL superstar | Walk the Talk | Jordan Mailata

    Boks Office | Episode 33 | Dupont's Toulouse Too Good

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    7 Comments
    H
    Henry 1118 days ago

    Theres always two sides to a coin. For the likes of Nathan Hughes , Taqele Naiyaravoro, Seta Tamanivalu..Vern Cotter would definitely be interested in them . They are players that are used to environments that promote winning football both on and off the field. Hughes would compliment Tuisue & Mata being a specialist No.8 and Cotter would excel at bringing the best out of the talismanic No.8

    J
    Jaybarrett 1119 days ago

    Hughes is a natural 8 unlike the other number 8 Mata,Tuisue,Yato all of them can plays lock & flanker.

    i
    isaac 1119 days ago

    Hughes is a good player but where does he stack up against players like Viliame Mata, Albert Tuisue, Peceli Yato, Henry Dyer, Mesulame Kunavula and a few others..even Tuisova now plays at 8 at club level and scored a try on his first match at 8 for Lyon...so where does Nathan fit??

    Load More Comments

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Features

    Comments on RugbyPass

    R
    RedWarrior 2 hours ago
    The reason given by Steve Borthwick for latest England setback

    So England are allowed to have a tsunami whinge fest about the ref but if an Irish fan points out that some decisions hurt Ireland also they are being petulant.

    Honestly some English supporters are all politeness until they lose then the claws and fangs come out.

    Ok here we go, not complaints just pointing out where England got away with roul play:

    1: M Smiths headbutt on James Lowe that started the fracas with Stewart. If the ref spots that in time then thats a second yellow if not a straight red for Smith. Probably worth another 14 points with England gassed so a 41-10 final scoreline?

    2: Itoje's several stamps on Hansens instep in a clear attempt to damage metatarsals. Straight red or if he is lucky, 10 in the bin.

    3. Currys block on Baird to create a gap that Smith used to break the line. Penalty and possession for Ireland deep in England 22 with score at 0:0.

    4: The correct decision for the Cunningham South dangerous tackle was a yellow. Lowe blew it by confronting him. The ref didn't give South or Lowe a yellow. The ref couldn't give Lowe a yellow anyway as the TMO would have informed him that m Smith alone started the previosu fracas and its not unreasonable for a player to react to being headbutted.


    One last thing missing from English analysis

    How is coming over to Dublin acting like you own the place, committing filthy cowardly off the ball cheap shots working out for you? I mean you clearly dont care that we think your team are a crowd of a$$holes but...... rugby wise, how is riling the Irish team to focus and get the best out of themselves against such unpleasant opposition working for you on the scoreboard?


    Food for thought old boy!!!!

    30 Go to comments
    LONG READ
    LONG READ What trends you should be looking out for in this year's Six Nations What trends you should be looking out for in this year's Six Nations
    Search