Ireland must not get bogged down against weakened Fijians

IT’S when you examine the clubs of the Fijian players in this evening’s Guinness Series international against Ireland at the RDS that you appreciate how short they are of the quality needed for success at the highest level.

True, there are a couple from Gloucester and one or two from Saracens, Clermont Auvergne and Toulon, but for the most part they are drawn from teams many of us have never heard of and others plying their trade in the lower regions of leagues in France, England and back home in the South Sea Islands.

Sadly, once again some clubs have made it difficult for their coaching team of Glen Ella, a member the famous Ella rugby family that illuminated the scene back in the late 1970s and early 80s, and former All Black captain Mike Brewer, to put out a side of the strength of that which defeated Wales 38-34 in the World Cup two years ago.