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New Flying Fijians coach Jake White has raised some questions the team will have to “sit down and talk about” after their 43-15 loss to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which extended their winless run Nations Championship run for five matches.
White, who led the Springboks until 2007 Rugby World Cup glory, took responsibility Fiji in front of a Japan Rugby Football Union Centenary Test in Tokyo. Fiji defeated Japan that night, but have lost two matches since then Six Nations giants.
Fiji were beaten 54-17 France last weekend, and Antoine Dupoint was named the best player. Coach White then made nine changes before facing Ireland, including a new captain for the fifth round clash.
Peceli Yato took charge and the skipper led by example as the visitors took a 12-7 lead during the first half. Josua Tuisova and Yato scored a try each, but the Flying Fijians did not hold onto that lead for long.
Robert Baloucoune equalized six minutes later and the Irish winger ran in another try just before the break. It was only a two-point game at halftime, but Ireland took control in the second half, piling on the points in an unanswered 26-0 run.
“To be fair, 15-17 against Ireland, against top Ireland at half time, you’ll take it,” White said after the match on the broadcast.
“But again, in the second half, there’s obviously a sloppiness. Historically we’ve looked like we’ve missed a lot of tries, especially in the last 20 of every game and it was exactly the same today. Is it fitness? Is it time together? Is it cohesion? Is it confidence in sticking to our game plan? Those are things we’re obviously going to have to sit down and talk about.”
“There were plays and plays we didn’t even put on our chart this week, so it’s got to be because there’s pressure. They’re probably going back to what they know.”
Ireland got out of the blocks with a fairly early try in the second half, before disaster struck for the Flying Fijians, who went down to 14 men. Inoke Ravuiwasa left the field, and the Irish certainly made the most of that advantage.
Andrew Porter and Tommy O’Brien got on the scoresheet in quick succession and Ireland never looked back. It was a match which, as White later explained, showed that Fiji were not there yet and were still chasing “the edge”.
“I just look at that game and I’m sure you’ll see the difference next week,” White added.
“In the 60th minute, we take a penalty. South Africa will take the run, probably get a yellow card for pressing Ireland, then play the last 10 minutes with 14 men and a seven-point return from that run.
“We’re not there yet, we’ve taken the penalty. Having been South Africa’s coach, there’s nothing better than saying take the run, put the pressure on, get a yellow card against them and then we’ve got 10 minutes against 14 players.
“But we’re not there yet. That’s where we’re going to try to find that edge.”