SUVA, (FIJI TIMES) – Flying Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo looks set to get the nod for the goalkicking duties during the Rugby World Cup ahead of Josh Matavesi and Ben Volavola.
Coach John McKee said Nadolo had been looking good with goal-kicking.
“Nemani has been nailing it with his kicking. He very well could be doing the goalkicks but he would be on the wing. That’s where I prefer him to play and he was good on the wing in Super Rugby,” he said.
Volavola or Matavesi would feature at flyhalf as McKee is considering using Waisea Nayacalevu in the centres.
Lepani Botia has impressed at inside centre and could mostly get a nod to start along with vice-captain Vereniki Goneva.
At training Monday, Nadolo was practising his goalkicking while Netani Talei was running drills that could see him start at the back of the scrum.
McKee said the training this week was aimed a improving core skills to ensure possession.
“Our focus would be improving the core skills, passing and kicking. We need to continuously look at improving the core skills. In terms of the game plan, we plan on doing an intensive training 15 on 15 to execute our plays under game like pressure, that doubles up as almost like match training,” he said.
“Our kicking game could almost be better, very important nowadays is to ensure that we have a number of players across the park who could do field kicks to get us into position and not just rely on one or two players.”
McKee said another area they were looking to focus on were the rules of the game in order to minimise the side entries and infringement in ruck situations.
Hooker Sunia Koto ran by himself. McKee said Koto had a hamstring strain and would return to normal training today.
Meanwhile, Leone Nakarawa stands six feet six inches tall and weighs 110 kilograms, and his ability to run like a wing and break tackles like a centre make him an exciting player to watch.
The lock had the most off-loads in the 2014-15 European Rugby Champions Cup with 25 and was named Man of the Match for Glasgow in the 2015 Pro12 Grand Final in Belfast.
The former Tavua College student said he was ready for the challenge next month in the Rugby World Cup.
He added that he hoped to continue playing exciting rugby.
“I like playing exciting and entertaining rugby. I don’t like to play a dull game, slow rugby.
“That’s how we Fijians play, exciting rugby,” he said.
Nakarawa was also on song in the Pacific Nations Cup where he led Fiji’s try scoring tally. He said God and family were his motivation.
“I thank God. Putting God first. Like now I have a full time contract and then getting picked into the Flying Fijians squad, that is indeed a blessing.
“Secondly my family, my father he is always there for me.
“He has been supportive from the day I started playing rugby,” he added.
In 2011, New Zealand had to make an exemption to their ban on Fiji military personnel entering the country in order for Nakarawa to play in the World Cup.
He said his favourite memory from the RWC 2011 was scoring Fiji’s second try against Namibia.
Nakarawa added he was now looking forward to the RWC and hoped the Flying Fijians will create history this time around.
