Fiji sevens coach ‘seriously’ worried by player exodus to Sri Lanka
Fiji’s sevens coach Ben Ryan is ‘seriously’ concerned by the loss of talented players overseas, particularly to Sri Lanka, saying it threatens to derail the Pacific islanders’ preparations for the Rio Olympics.
Fiji’s rugby sevens coach Ben Ryan is ‘seriously’ concerned by the loss of talented players overseas, particularly to Sri Lanka, saying it threatens to derail the Pacific islanders’ preparations for the Rio Olympics.
Ryan said a huge number of players had been lured offshore – he estimated 30 Fijian wingers were plying their trade in France alone – including 2014 world sevens player of the year Samisoni Viriviri, who recently signed for Montpellier.
The Englishman, who took over in Fiji just over a year ago, said the talent drain was affecting his plans to hone a winning team for Rio 2016, where sevens rugby will make its Olympic debut.
It’s serious as Sri Lankan clubs are obviously targeting Fijian players
“Yes we have a lot of good players in Fiji, but you don’t become the best team in the world on ability alone,” said Ryan, who coached England’s sevens team for six years from 2007.
“Teams need to gel, players need time to be conditioned and coached.”
Fiji have never won an Olympic medal of any description, but the country’s sevens team, who have twice been crowned world champions, are considered strong contenders to break the drought.
Ryan said success would involve player development early in their careers, but it was difficult for the cash-strapped Fiji Rugby Union to retain rising stars because it does not run a professional domestic league.
Instead players were heading offshore too early and failing to fulfil their potential, Ryan said, while singling out youngsters moving to Sri Lanka where rugby administrators are aggressively promoting the game after years of being overshadowed by cricket.