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MARSEILLE - Fiji captain halfback Mosese Rauluni says tours by the composite Pacific Islanders team should not come at the expense of the search by individual islands for more test rugby.
The Pacific Islanders, comprising the cream of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, are scheduled to tour Europe for tests in November next year, but Rauluni fears it will take away from opportunities for the individual Pacific teams.
At this stage Fiji, who took South Africa to the brink before bowing out of the World Cup 20-37 in yesterday's quarter-final in Marseille, have two home tests lined up next year against possibly France and Ireland.
"I think we have lost a lot of tests in the November window with the Pacific Islands tour going ahead next year," Rauluni said.
"I think the Pacific Islands concept is great but it should be like the Lions and play them every four years.
"You are taking away tests from Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. They need games by themselves and to only have two test matches next year is not enough, we need our games consistently with good competition."
Coach Ilie Tabua said Fiji were crying out for more competitive rugby.
"We will only get two test matches in 2008. All teams have more test matches than us. We need more tests with tier-one teams," he said.
"Two-thirds of our players playing against South Africa are with European clubs and the seasons are totally different between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres for players to be released for our test window."
The South Africans praised the performance of Fiji and were thankful to be still alive in the tournament after the earlier demise of fellow Tri-Nations teams Australia and New Zealand.
"People can be critical but you must not underestimate the fact that Fiji are a very good rugby team," coach Jake White said.
"They offload in the tackle, they break tackles, they can run as hard as any other team that we've played against.
"Defensively they're very strong. To score five tries against them is still a huge positive."
Captain John Smit put it simply: "We're lucky we got out alive today."
AFP
