Q&A with Vodafone Fiji Under 20 Coach – Bill Gadolo
Q&A with Vodafone Fiji Under 20 Coach
Q – What has happened to improve things at U20 Level since the side was relegated into the Trophy?
The Rugby Union through the High Performance Unit has really beefed up preparation phases by being able to support and cater for build up matches such as the Australian under 20 Comp in Canberra and the Counties Manukau Match in New Zealand. I believe that allowing the coaching staff to come and take this challenge is also a positive factor to assist this challenge. Technical coaches such as Matt Corbain and Allan Muir has been fantastic
Q – How helpful was playing in the Australian National U20 Championship last month? What did you learn from the narrow defeats to Queensland and the Barbarians side?
The games have been very positive for us in our build-up .Realistically we do not have competitive matches such as the games we played in Canberra back in Fiji. It has given us the coaches’ insights on areas of focus for preparations to Portugal and more importantly the experience that the boys gained from the match will be a lifetime’s lesson.
Q – Who were the star players on that tour and can we look forward to seeing them in Portugal?
Filipo Daugunu the soccer convert would be someone to look forward to seeing if not in JWT maybe in Fiji sevens in a couple of years.
Q – Do you have any notable players missing from the Trophy squad?
We dont have the services of Maikeli Sivo who was captain on the Canberra Tour he has probably signed with a club abroad but thats the way things going with players being taken overseas at a young age.
Q – Are you confident this group of players is capable of doing the country proud in Portugal?
Well we chose them so all confidences are on the boys to do themselves their families and their nation proud.
Q – How important is it for Fiji to bounce straight back into the U20 World Championship?
Our participation in JWC is very important it gives a good platform on the competitive of test match rugby and the more boys you expose to this level the better it will be for Fiji Rugby in general.
Q – What do you make of your draw for the Trophy?
It’s a very challenging one having teams like Georgia, Portugal and Uruguay will be very tough especially in the set pieces .They will come to the game ready to scrum and maul all day so we have to really work hard to be able to compete and compete well at the set pieces.