New SVNS circuit labelled 'ruthless' by struggling Fiji
Nothing short of perfection will do for aspiring SVNS teams, that is the lesson the circuit’s first leg taught Fiji head coach Ben Gollings.
Golling’s men fell short to eventual winners South Africa in the semi-final in Dubai, one of three teams the Blitzboks held to just one score in their knockout games.
New Zealand awaited in the bronze-place final and Fiji held the lead with just seconds to spare before a spectacular finish from Fehi Fineanganofo.
“He’s a big boy, and he will win it for New Zealand!” 💪#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSDXB pic.twitter.com/XHw17pU466
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) December 4, 2023
The result was a wake-up call says Gollings, with the reality of the new competition now setting in.
“All the pools are ruthless, we had that in Dubai,” he said, as quoted by RNZ.
“With the way the format is this year, we have to be spot on and we have to win every game.”
Fiji went on to lose their first match of the circuit’s second stop to France before beating Spain and toppling eventual winners Argentina in pool play in Cape Town.
Reaching the semi-finals once more, the Fijian squad were again dismissed after managing just one try in the match, but went one better in the bronze final, claiming third place at the tournament.
Still, Gollings is under increased pressure to inspire a winning effort in the next stop, Perth, after both the Dubai and Cape Town showings saw his team struggle to reach the dizzying heights the Flying Fijians are known for, even producing a goose egg against Great Britain.
With an Olympic year fast approaching, 2016 Rio gold medalist Vatemo Ravouvou made his feelings about the form of the team known this week.
“All the teams are beating Fiji now and there is no combination in the team, especially from the forwards and backline. They have to be aggressive. All I can see from the Dubai 7s and even in the Cape Town 7s, is that there is too much individual play and everyone wants to be the star.”
Gollings now has until January 26 to prepare his team for the Perth leg and prove they are on track to make a run during the back end of the circuit before the Paris showpiece in July.
Comments on RugbyPass
Joe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
9 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
9 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to comments