The Fijian Warriors’ win over Manuma Samoa was much needed to set the platform for the next round.
Coach Kele Leawere says the side will still need to step up another notch for this week’s clash.
The Warriors took down Manuma Samoa 60-10 in the first round of the Fiji Invitational Series last Saturday.
Leawere says high expectations have been laid on the players for the coming week.
“It was a game that we needed to win, you know we need to set the platform earlier on and it took us a while before we settled but Samoa played well but at the end of the day we came out with the result and there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done.”
Leawere however, adds the players who made their Warriors debut have impressed him.
“We still need to be defensive throughout the game but we let in some soft tries in the beginning but apart from that I think the new boys played well.”
Flying Fijians coach Vern Cotter predicts some Fijian Warriors donning the Flying Fijians jumper in the not too distant future.
Cotter was present at the Fiji Invitational Series over the weekend, in a bid to try to add some local players to his extended squad.
Cotter says he has been impressed by the passion shown by the local players.
“There’s something about them which is exciting if you can score tries with the forwards then move the ball quickly out to the back with the speed we have with these younger players, they’ve got a real desire to go forward and score tries and you know it’s a good place to be.”
Fiji Warriors coach Kele Leawere says all the players have what it takes to don the national jumper.
“The Drua coaches and the Flying Fijian coaches are really keen on these young boys and at the end of the day it’s up to the young ones to lift and put their hands up and say I’m ready for that Drua jersey and the flying Fijian jersey.”
The Fiji Warriors will face Manuma Samoa in the second round of the Fiji Invitational Series on Saturday.
SOURCE: FBC SPORTS/PACNEWS
