Fiji focused on immediate return to U20 Championship

Securing immediate promotion back to the World Rugby U20 Championship is Fiji’s sole focus heading into the Trophy in Portugal.

Over the next fortnight Fiji will attempt to follow in the footsteps of Italy and Samoa and become only the third nation to bounce back into the World Rugby U20 Championship at the first attempt following relegation the year before.

U20 Fiji Team

Last year’s bottom place finish in New Zealand sees Fiji drop down into the World Rugby U20 Trophy for the first time in their history, their place amongst the elite having been taken by Japan, winners of the second tier competition in 2014.

Head coach Bill Gadolo is well aware that winning the title and the prize of promotion is non-negotiable.

“The ultimate goal is to get Fiji back in the Championship and the only way we can do that is by winning the World Rugby U20 Trophy. It is a tough goal but a possible one to achieve,” Gadolo said.

“We have been demoted to the tier two competition but the emphasis at training was like we were preparing for the tier one competition.

“Our participation in the Championship is very important because the more you expose the boys to this level of competiveness in test match rugby the better it will be for Fiji rugby in general.”

Gadolo has named seven overseas-based players in his squad including highly-regarded England under-17 international Filimoni Savou, who left home at 13 to be educated in the UK and now plays for English big-hitters Saracens. The former Fiji under-12 captain will link up with the rest of the squad later this week.

SET PIECE BATTLE

Fiji begin their campaign on 12 May against host nation Portugal before taking on Georgia and Uruguay with only top spot in Pool A enough to keep their promotion dream alive. Gadolo is expecting a stiff test of their credentials up front.

“It’s a very challenging draw,” admitted Gadolo, the former Flying Fijians hooker who appeared at RWC 2003 and 2007. “All the teams have similar styles; they will come to the game ready to scrum and maul all day so we’ll have to really work hard to compete at the set pieces.”

Part of Fiji’s preparation included a trip to Canberra in Australia where they took part in the Australian U20 Championship as one of the invited guest teams and a final fixture against Counties Manukau Junior Cavaliers.

They lost to Queensland (27-17) and the Australian Barbarians (34-28) but departed for Portugal on a high after a 31-12 win against the New Zealanders.

“We don’t have competitive matches such as this back in Fiji so it has been a positive development for us – as coaches and players – in our preparation for Portugal,” said Gadolo.

“We are confident that the boys will deliver in the tournament and everyone in the team will contribute equally.”