Fiji manager slams team's RWC preparation

Fiji manager Joe Browne issued a report to the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) over the weekend condemning the team's preparation for the Rugby World Cup and a poor attitude at the tournament.

Coach Mac MacCallion recently resigned from the position following the tournament after becoming frustrated with the International Rugby Board's (IRB) lack of commitment to the smaller Unions and the Pacific Islands in particular.

MacCallion became frustrated as the future of the cash-strapped Island teams began to look even more bleak with a proposed Nine Nations tournament following the RWC - a tournament in which none of the poorer nations would partake - meaning there would be even fewer fixtures for these teams than before.

Fiji had little time to prepare for the RWC and MacCallion was forced to cram 20-weeks' worth of preparation into just four weeks and although the tournament showcased the talents of such stars as winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca, it was clear the Fijians suffered from the lack of preparation, in particular against Scotland in their final game of the tournament.

"We didn't have the money, the time, the selected players when they came in didn't have the fitness level and [MacCallion] spent [all of his] time trying to get them fit and teaching them the rules and skills ... this is too much for the coach," Browne told AFP.

But Browne also blamed the players' attitudes for their poor performance, in particular against Scotland after the team threw away a first-half advantage to go down to a last-minute try by a desperate and underperforming Scottish outfit.

"The Fijians of all the teams, had the potential to be the best players, but potential alone is not enough. They have to be able to exploit their potential and that's where they are lacking.

"If Fiji is to compete in the World Cup effectively, there should be shift in paradigm in terms of attitudes, skills and a training program."

Browne's report was not well received by a number of FRU Board members, and former national Sevens coach Epeli Lagiloa labelled it as unfair and said it was the manager's duty to instill discipline in the squad.