Fiji rugby team preparation ahead of France match, Digi Mart USA News (Gerland, Lyon, France): Ahead of their Saturday clash with the French national team at the Groupama Stadium, the Flying Fijians have left nothing to chance. The squad has spent the past ten days at the Ruck Hotel on the Gerland site, where it has used the facilities of Lou Rugby to prepare in comfortable conditions.
The close working arrangement was on display last Friday, when Lou Rugby’s players outside the squad were mixed with the Fijian team in a training match. Day to day, the Fijian side also benefited from the expertise of AB Zondagh, the attack coach at Lou, who served as a technical adviser to the Fijians alongside his club duties.
Zondagh explained that he had coached with Fiji’s head coach Jake White at the Sharks during the 2013-2014 season, before White left for Montpellier. “I was then in charge of skills,” the coach said.
“As a friendly favor, I prepared a breakdown of the French national team’s game for Fiji. I did this small job in my free time, and it did not disrupt my daily work with Lou.”
Alongside White and Gert Small, the South African coach provided advice to the Flying Fijians on the attacking side and on aerial play, an area where the Pacific islanders know they must compete effectively with France. Players such as Jiuta Wainiqolo and Iosefo Masi, whose speed and jumping ability have helped Lou win the most aerial contests in the Top 14 this season, were cited as key assets.
The Fijian coaches also set up a symbolic gate at the entrance to the training pitch to address the players’ tendency to tackle high. Two posts linked by a cord set at about 1.5 meters forced the players to bend down at the start and end of each session.
The article notes that, despite their relaxed appearance, the Fijians are determined to leave nothing to chance, with White hoping for a resounding success in his first game in charge of the Pacific side, which he hopes to use to make a major impact in Australia next year.
