The FIJI Water Flying Fijians are taking valuable lessons from their recent Nations Championship campaign after falling short of expectations.

Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula says improvements in preparation and player development will be crucial moving forward.

Seruvakula says the team had only three weeks to prepare, which he believes was not enough time to compete against some of the world’s top rugby nations.

“Looking back at those three matches, we learned a lot, especially about preparation. We only had three weeks to get the team ready, and that simply wasn’t enough, particularly when we were up against some of the strongest teams in the competition who train together year-round. In future, players need to come into camp already prepared, rather than trying to build everything within a short three-week period.”

He also stressed the need to strengthen domestic competitions such as the Skipper Cup and Vanua Championship, saying they provide a clear pathway for players to progress to the Flying Fijians.

“Planning ahead is crucial, not just for the Under-20 team but for the entire pathway leading to the Flying Fijians. Competitions like the Skipper Cup and the Vanua Championship have produced many of the players in the current squad. If these tournaments continue consistently, the selection process will be more transparent and provide a strong foundation for the national team over the next decade.”

Seruvakula adds that provincial and club competitions should be used as continuous scouting platforms to ensure talented players are identified early and are ready whenever they are called into the national squad.

“My message is that nothing is impossible if we’re willing to work hard. Provincial and club competitions are vital because they allow Flying Fijians coaches to identify and monitor emerging talent. These tournaments shouldn’t only be used when there’s an injury or a last-minute need, they should serve as a continuous talent pipeline, ensuring players are always ready to step up when called upon.”

Despite the disappointing campaign, Seruvakula remains confident Fiji can close the gap on the world’s best through better planning and long-term development and that with hard work and a strong player pathway, nothing is impossible.