Fiji Rugby Union chairman John Sanday has offered words of encouragement to the Skipper Select team following their disappointing 78–12 defeat to the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in a pre-season match. Sanday emphasized the importance of keeping spirits high, noting that the Skipper Select side faced a Super Rugby team equipped with superior resources, training facilities, and overall readiness.
He urged players to focus on the valuable lessons learned during the match and encouraged them to implement these insights as they gear up for the upcoming Skipper Cup competition. Reflecting on his own experience with the Emerging Players XV, Sanday recalled a game against an Auckland team on the same Lautoka ground back in 1986. He shared a memorable piece of advice from the late Andy Haden, who emphasized that the score of such matches should not overshadow the learning opportunities they present, highlighting how playing against top-tier teams is essential for personal and team growth.
Sanday pointed out that despite their challenging experience, several players from that past squad eventually represented Fiji in the Rugby World Cup. He reassured the Skipper Select players that hard work and perseverance would lead to future successes, encouraging them to remain committed to their training and development.
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