Fiji Puts Muscle On Muscle

The Fijian players bound for the World Cup have sent a daunting message to rivals thanks to a training program devised by NRL coach Max Ninness.

“They have certainly bulked up in physique,” observed Ninness, the assistant coach of St George Illawarra.

Ninness arrived in Fiji this week to monitor the progress of the elite local Fijians.

He was delighted with the progress of all the players after attending a full scale training session.

Fiji Bati coach Joe Dakuitoga said his players had to be commended for adhering to Ninness’ training program.

“There has been a lot of discipline applied to the training program that Max arranged,” said Dakuitoga.

There is still some uncertainty as to the availability of some Fijian players involved with NRL clubs and this makes the development of the local players even more significant.

Ninness, in conjunction with Dakuitoga will now concentrate on tactics such as hit-ups, defence and alignment.

Ninness has even gone to the point of providing a revolutionary warm-up technique that is being used in the NRL.

Fiji is always unpredictable. They can be an excitement machine due to the ease of the way they play an improvised style of football.

The fact they are adding muscle to muscle augurs well for their tilt at the World Cup.

By Geoff Prenter