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Fijian rugby fans have turned on head coach John McKee on social media after his side were upset by Uruguay on Wednesday at the World Cup.
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After losing to Australia last Saturday, Fiji were shocked by an impassioned Uruguay side, who took a 24-12 half-time lead and managed to hold onto a 30-27 win.
Boasting some world-class players, Fiji were tipped by many to cause some upsets at this year’s RWC with the Wallabies and Wales also in their pool. However, their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals now look very slim.
A lot of the blame has fallen on McKee after the result, as he opted to make twelve changes to the starting XV that looked very dangerous against Australia. His side were leading the Wallabies at half-time at the weekend, although Michael Cheika’s side did pull away at the end. But Fiji simply did not turn up against Uruguay.
In light of the result, McKee has been lambasted for making as many changes as he did. Unfortunately, Fiji only had three days off between matches, which is hugely taxing on the players and meant changes must be made.
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However, the volume of alterations is what many fans are not happy about, and it perhaps shows that Uruguay were underestimated. McKee has also been criticised for the changes that he made during the game, which seemed to lack any urgency despite Fiji being in a perilous position.
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While it is always a tough ask for any coach to select a team after such a short turnaround, fans are now calling for the New Zealander to be sacked.
He has been in the role since 2014 and has built a side that have had some impressive results over the years, including beating France in 2018, but Fiji’s hopes of doing anything special at this RWC are in tatters and the fingers are being pointed at the coach. This is what has been said:
Key points •McKee can’t coach •Mckee doesn’t know how to use the bench • Senioli n Matavesi fk off •Matawalu only one that showed up •Too much Yaqona • Fiji to unfit • No set plays
— Eroni?? (@eeeroni_) September 25, 2019
Goodbye McKee.. Goodnight Fiji #DVC ??
— Solo (@soloraicebe) September 25, 2019
Guess McKee better start packing. There is No way he will still have his job after the World Cup. The Fiji public are brutal after a loss like today… Congratulations Uruguay, you clearly wanted it more ?
— Tara Kanaenabogi (@TaranaiviniK) September 25, 2019
John McKee's gamble of fielding a second-string side doesn't pay-off as Uruguay claim the first major upset of the #RWC2019. Fiji's qualification chances hanging by a thread #FIJvURU :
— Sheldon Chanel (@sschanel16) September 25, 2019
Just because you lost a crucial opening game didn't mean you had to throw away the second game, that was a second string team McKee and you know it, you underestimated Uruguay when you fielded a second string team and now you have to live with that choice RUBBISH ???
— ??wah??? (@gavidi_wame) September 25, 2019
Sack John McKee
— Mavish (@ram_mavish) September 25, 2019
Woowww a deserved win ???? #Uruguayrugby#flyingfijians have just became laughing stock ????
Special thanks to our coach #johnmckee for selecting reserves thinking that #fiji are playing a trial match
Kickers r ????
Truly heart broken ????#FIJvURU #RWC2019 https://t.co/4y73bVnCQ4— ritasha.fj ?? (@ritasha_fiji) September 25, 2019
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Is this a bad dream? WTF @fijirugby @fijivillage @fijitimes Please retire now Josh Matavesi @theflyingfijian coz you were just trash and wtf was funny about missing kicks..John McKee you need to go…
— Avin (@Am2Gud4) September 25, 2019
Fiji now have eight days to prepare for their contest against Georgia, and then have six days before they play Wales in the final game of the pool.
They will need to win both of those games if they are to stand any chance of making out of their group, but they will still be dependent on other results going their way in what may prove to be a disappointing RWC campaign.
WATCH: Part two of the RugbyPass Rugby World Cup Memories series sees Scotland legend Gavin Hastings reflect on the 1991 tournament
Comments on RugbyPass
Says much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
1 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
23 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
10 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
78 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
23 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
10 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
23 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
23 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments