“I’ve been telling them that they are as good as any other team in the competition. That if we work hard and look after each other. With confidence we can match any team in the world.”
Flying Fijians forwards (from left) Eroni Mawi, Peni Ravai and Levani in Bordeaux, France, on September 3, 2023. Photo: FRU Media
The Flying Fijians forwards have been repeatedly told that they can match any team in the Rugby World Cup, if they are prepared to do the hard work.
That was the gist of forwards coach Graham Dewes interview with FRU Media.
Dewes said they have a massive challenge before them when they face Wales in their Rugby World Cup opener next Monday morning.
“We’ve world class forwards,” Dewes said.
“I’ve been telling them that they are as good as any other team in the competition. That if we work hard and look after each other. With confidence we can match any team in the world.”
Dewes was the prop of the Flying Fijians side that beat Wales 38-34 at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
He scored the winning try in that encounter, which bundled Wales out of the quarterfinals.
The 41-year-old is Northland’s forward coach in the NZ National Provincial Championship.
The 29 Flying Fijians Test veteran is one of the three coaches in the Blues region that were being groomed by former All Blacks scrum guru, Mike Cron.
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
