Fiji coach Pivac puts in legwork

Wayne Pivac is already well into the groundwork for his tough new role as Fiji coach.

The all-conquering Auckland NPC coach, whose team pocketed last year's first-division title and Ranfurly Shield, has been confirmed in charge of Fiji for the next four years to the 2007 World Cup in France.

He succeeds compatriot Mac McCallion, who quit after Fiji failed to make the playoffs at last year's World Cup when Scotland scored a late try to ensure victory and a quarter-final spot.

Pivac is already living in Fiji and said the biggest challenge was enlisting the financial and political support to boost the team, who struggle for resources.

He had received the backing of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and was door-knocking to drum up more financial support from local businesses.

"We're being proactive and certainly not sitting around waiting for the IRB," Pivac told Radio Sport yesterday.

Pivac said a national coaching job was the logical step after seven years of coaching NPC - two with Northland and the past five with Auckland, who he lifted from mid-table strugglers to three-time champions.

"We [Pivac and assistant Grant Fox] had a great five years with Auckland and achieved the goals we set for ourselves. Once you do that it's time to look at fresh challenges."

Pivac's brief is to strengthen the base of Fiji-based players and groom his successor - ideally a Fijian.

He also wanted to work on the players' conditioning and training methods.

"There's a huge amount of talent. It's really areas of fitness and strength where they lack. I've got a plan to work on it, and we want to set up a high-performance centre and four regional academies.

"We're going to place a lot of emphasis on developing the players in Fiji and not rely totally on overseas players."

Pivac has long been a fan of Fijian players, having coached star winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca, fellow flyer Fero Lasagavibau, lock Vula Maimuri and prop Joe Veitayaki.

"I've had a lot do to with Fijian players and I've found them excellent to work with.

"I haven't had a problem, even though some others say they have in terms of discipline and motivation.

"I've certainly found once you get the respect of the players they'll go the extra mile for you."

Fiji Rugby Union chief executive Pio Bosco Tikoisuva said he was pleased Pivac had accepted the post because "at the end of last season, Wayne could have had pretty much any coaching position in New Zealand".

- NZPA