Fiji’s Under-20 rugby team, under the guidance of head coach Senirusi Seruvakula, is prioritizing player development and cohesion as they prepare for the upcoming Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge and Super Rugby U20 competitions. Seruvakula highlighted the significance of nurturing talent and forming a united team for future success during an interview with SUNsports.

The current squad features fifteen players, including five from overseas—four from Australia and one from New Zealand—who have already arrived and begun their integration into the training environment. Seruvakula stated that all players, regardless of their origin, will undergo the same regimen to ensure uniformity in training and approach.

Seruvakula, who has experience as part of the coaching staff for the Fiji Secondary Schools boys’ Under-18 team, emphasized that many players hail from the esteemed Fiji Secondary Schools Deans rugby competition. His long-term vision involves nurturing these athletes through successive levels, from the Under-20s to the Warriors and then hopefully into the national team, the Flying Fijians. He believes that maintaining form can enable players to join the national squad by the age of 23 or 24, which aligns with the emerging trend of earlier career development for Fijian players.

“Discipline and confidence on the field are crucial,” Seruvakula remarked, explaining that these principles extend to how players train, eat, and rest. He has identified six players for leadership roles within the squad, combining experience from those who played in last year’s Under-20 team with fresh talent from the Deans competition.

With one month left before competition, Seruvakula is focused on implementing a strong rugby culture among the players, who come from diverse secondary school backgrounds. He aims to bridge gaps in training and fitness typically encountered in school by introducing them to structured strength and conditioning, nutrition guidance, and physiotherapy.

The squad consists of 30 players, with a few replacements also training concurrently, making competition for spots intense. As a critical step in preparation, the players will face a fitness assessment in the coming week, and the finalized roster will be announced shortly thereafter.

The commitment toward fostering youth rugby within Fiji is gaining momentum, with Seruvakula’s proactive approach creating hope for the future of Fijian rugby talent. Looking ahead, the upcoming Oceania tournament will present a valuable opportunity for these young athletes to gain international experience and establish a solid foundation for their careers.

In summary, Seruvakula’s focused strategy on youth development and comprehensive training indicates a promising path for Fiji’s Under-20 rugby team, building optimism for their prospects both at home and on the international stage.