The Rugby Pod with Fiji Coach Simon Raiwalui | How he Manages to get the Best out of their Talent

[@sereanaduwai8313]

Fantastic interview with Simon Raiwalui. Just the right person at the right time and also a wonderful support team

[@timocituiyoyo8413]

Deepest condolences to Tuisova and his family for the lost of his son 😢

[@isitwasit8756]

Genuinely one of the best pod episodes I’ve seen .. how can anyone not love Fiji .. they are something special..monsters with skills..

[@pitaberaciri8366]

Honestly hats off to Tuisova an Fiji 🇫🇯 I was abusing them on the screen watching Georgia game , did not realise that Tuisovas son had passed away hours before kickoff . My humblest condolences an apologise Fiji 🇫🇯 that news would have rocked any team’s performance

[@Fiji4life-g3g]

As long as Fiji reaches the semis..we are happy 😊 if they go up to the finals even better ...🎉🎉

[@Irongaint]

The most gifted player ive ever seen is rupeni caucau, he was angelic. Something in the water in fiji

[@tombutcher3021]

I love that guy. So sad he was not managed. 2003 rwc he had a belly on him and ran around the scottish wings like they were amateurs. Possibly one of the top fastest wings to ever play. in the super 12 he ran around international wings. Another of my favourites fiji players. Delsaul (spelling). Rokokoko, sivivatu, Vidiri, vunabaka, koroibete the list goes on......

[@oneness1_]

Yup...a natural athlete indeed😊

[@kkor5849]

One of the things i think Simon Raiwalui wanted to keep in house was Tuisova's loss of his son hours before the georgia game but well done to the whole team on keeping that in house..much respect to a team like that. Big fan of you guys and keep up the awesome shows 💯👍

[@silveronsizzler]

great pod guys, nice hearing from coach Simon Raiwalui GO FIJI GO .... and for the weekends Go Scotland, please WIN 🎉

[@alumicavulaono5667]

Massive "Vinaka vakalevu", for your platform. The depth of your interview is a valuable gift. The range in your coverage lends clarity and harnesses understanding leading to increased appreciation of rugby union boosting opportunities for universal appeal. Bravo to one and all. Keep up the spirit of excellence buoyed by camaraderie and mutual respect on and off the field. I follow you from the Fiji Isles. Sunny, warm "Bula Vinaka". God bless and may the best team win at the Rugby World Cup 2023😊❤🎉

[@cceffect]

They are massive, fast and play with Passion. What's isn't to love about them

[@peterclark6290]

The first Islander team to understand Rugby and adapt (in their bones) to the complexity and nuances of the laws of the game will wipe the floor in front of them. But it's the penalties, going for a gallop and getting isolated that steal possession and territory and have done for years. The skills, speed, toughness (talent) were always there but they aren't enough, it's the attitude that was missing. The game is not a brawl, or a fight, it is a delicate balance always involving *the contest.* Glen Jackson's inclusion is a master stroke for the above reasons.

[@AmeliaNemani]

deepest condolence goes to Josua Tuisova....may your son rest in Heavenly peace Tuisova Watching the live broadcast of your son's Funeral yesterday was so heartbreaking 💔💔brave-heart indeed a true warrior and a strong Dad 🖤🖤all the best next game against Portugal Ratu toso Viti toso 🙏🖤

[@davidwilliams5325]

Really enjoyed that one Guys thank you

[@rubzzz0415]

A Happy Fijian is a dangerous Fijian 🔥 so true

[@nayacakalou703]

What an awesome interview! Thanks guys 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@jpb7887]

Awesome Fiji Team; Time for the integration in the Rugby Championship now !

[@Daywalker685]

If Glen Jackson can join the fiji squad, I reckon Samoa should bring a ref too like Nigel Owens.

[@mattmorgan4083]

Thoughts are with Tuisova 😢❤

[@kkor5849]

Absolutely brilliant show lads

[@nemsuguturaga5115]

Amazing and relevant Episode.

[@davidpeters3857]

The most naturally talented players on the planet……Condolences to the Tuisova family 😢

[@tombutcher3021]

They have produced some of the best wingers in the world. May not all play for Fiji but just how many we have seen in the last 20 years. Pure athletes.

[@anniemelaia1964]

Awesome clip lads 👏🏽

[@Alex-xk7my]

If Fiji had the structures/money of a traditional tier one nation they’d smoke everyone. Best rugby athletes on the planet

[@bryanellis459]

Horrible news about Josua Tuisova's 7 year old son. Amazing that h'es able to continue on at World cup, missing the funeral.

[@fhfrkiuyb]

What?

[@mattmorgan4083]

Yh rip

[@bryanellis459]

@@fhfrkiuyb His son died after a long illness just before the Georgia game, he's staying on to play, though and will unfortunately miss the funeral

[@lucastabare5426]

I think a TRC with 6 teams (fiji and japan) with promotion relegation for the worst/best between top/bottom 3 could work. Prevents excessively air mileage and maintains a high level of rugby, and would inject japanese funding and. Investment/advertising to the revenue stream. Seems viable and adds competitivness to more games

[@esetapowell7662]

Vinaka, loved this podcast

[@johnhanson5943]

I might be half English but I hope Fiji beat England in the QF. Have to love Fiji.

[@nickharris6328]

Is the other half Welsh?

[@Samizouza]

Interesting discussions ongoing on whether or not Fiji joins the RC, and very wise from Simon not to let it distract from the world cup. And yeah those games against Georgia and Portugal means that there needs to be a change in mentality despite discipline improvements.

[@MarkWhippy]

26:00 I believe this because the day after it was announced Eddie Jones was keeping his job, Koroibete announced he was retiring from international rugby.

[@bernieflynn4803]

Lets see how the Top14 and Priemership etc clubs release their players for the Championship?!

[@jgg0207]

In my view, if the Rugby Championship continues to deny Fiji it is because they are truly afraid that Fiji will come to dominate that competition. Fiji and Japan should have be included since the last World Cup. If they continue to be left out, it will because the powers that be dont want them, not because they cant compete.

[@christoduplessis8177]

Bud, us South Africans already have to fly to Argentina and then go to the other side of the world for 2 weeks and back to back games in Australia and New Zealand. To add a game in the middle of the ocean to that is a bit much. Europe is an hour apart, the other side of the world is not. Since Europe doesn't travel add them to a 7 Nations... Lord knows enough Islanders play for the national teams in Europe. How about you guys stand up a bit...

[@andyanderson5326]

You can’t fear what has never beaten you right ? It’s a money thing and Fiji has none to bring to the table. Rugby needs money it’s called business. But you probably don’t have that intelligence.

[@hurricanenigel5111]

​@@andyanderson5326we have intelligence,don't be naive

[@napsboseiwaqa5268]

​@@andyanderson5326 Oh wow. Let's all bow down to the Supreme Intellectual that is Mr. Anderson. Twat

[@Irongaint]

No they would never, calm your ego down please

[@Nic0909]

If they did get in the rugby championship will the players based in Europe be available? It can't just be the Drua players

[@GitXxxd]

the Europe-based players will play for Fiji2 in the 6N :D

[@tombutcher3021]

@@Tom-vi3ji Issue is the SH championship is in the middle of the NH season.

[@Samizouza]

Then FRU will really have to up their negotiations to get the Europe based players released

[@Jonesowata]

Fiji will take the WORLD CUP!!

[@EsBeeQue]

Calm down son!! 🤦‍♂️

[@GitXxxd]

we already did, mate! how many do you want?? 😄

[@ioanekoroivuki543]

​@@EsBeeQue😂😂😂 Epic response.

[@petebras646]

Fiji got 2 Olympic gold metal in 7 side rugby and bag waiting for 15 a side world cup trophy.

[@EsBeeQue]

@@petebras646 fair one but this is different code! Don’t get me wrong nothing is impossible aye…

[@seamus9750]

As long as they beat England I'll be happy

[@Dickie2702]

Another ABE, who would have guessed that!

[@davidpeters3857]

💯

[@JohnHirsch88]

Love the pod and don't mind any of the "anti-woke" stuff, and I understand you've played with him and other Fijians, but some of the questions seemed a bit childish and don't really benefit Fiji as a whole while also reinforcing certain stereotypes about their players. There are valid points of interest regarding their athleticism and skill, etc. and I understand you might think I'm overreacting, but I believe the conversation could have been phrased or handled more thoughtfully.

[@Dummypass]

You’re not wrong.

[@JohnRidley12]

It's hard to say ( I don't know any Fijians) but at times it did feel a bit iffy. But no malice meant.

[@christoduplessis8177]

I am surprised the Europeans don't put their hand up. You guys do almost no traveling for the 6 Nations. Meanwhile the Rugby Championship covers 3 continents and 19 time zones. And we must add the middle of the pacific into that now too? With very limited commercial benefit? Just chip in a bit more at the very least.

[@christoduplessis8177]

@@Tom-vi3ji go see what happened with the SR expansions. Just throwing something out there thinking it will work will be stupid. In South Africa we want to play NZ home and away each year. And then try and beat a few European nations in their autumn. Take that away and within a few years the fan base would have shrunken significantly. This isn't a computer game.

[@stormchaser3004]

Grassroots = spartan

[@andyanderson5326]

Lol bet these guys will remember what they have been saying, FKN sand dunes ? I’ll have what Portugal was having.

[@andyanderson5326]

But still they lack a lot of intelligence sometimes looking like they have no idea. like a deer in headlights.

[@davidpeters3857]

Please elaborate

[@andyanderson5326]

@@davidpeters3857they were lucky to beat Georgia !! A team ranked outside the top 10. When it gets tough they struggle with a game plan.

[@napsboseiwaqa5268]

​@@andyanderson5326All the reason for more exposure to high level games then, don't you think Mr . Anderson.

[@Dryland84]

Mate.. Bruhh you need to loosen up and smile get some Tropical Love In your heart. Chill Bruhh

[@andyanderson5326]

Well how long has Fiji been around and now your complaining they don’t get enough high level games. The world has helped Fiji enough now let’s see if they are consistent. But I’m sure they won’t be after seeing them against Georgia.

[@WalesTheTrueBritons]

Built differently? Well what does that say about the Welsh lads then, Afterall they beat them? The love for Fiji is just artificially manufactured and as fake as it comes. It seems some countries are exotic enough to be built up beyond their level and others are not.

[@josephsweeney4219]

The love is real. They are underdogs. They play with joy and passion. They play an open, exciting game with speed and flair. Those are the reasons they are everybody's second favorite team right now. Nothing manufactured in that.

[@Dryland84]

Bruhh you for real? Mate loosen up.😊

[@teeballz1720]

You misunderstand the term built differently. It refers to having natural characteristics that are different from the norm, and in the case of the conversation theyre referring to natural physical characteristics which is true. Like how Fiji has multiple players that can play both backs and forward position at world class level. Its not a slight to the Welsh or any other team that beats Fiji.

[@patskizafj]

Take a chill pill mate.....you seem to forget that the welsh team was aided by a very lenient referee. By the way, Fiji is punching above their weight, when compared to tier one countries.

[@merelesiaranatawake]

Chiuuuuu jelous🙄🤣🤣🤣🤣