South Africa coach hints Fiji future

Local Sports

Sprtsone's Subarmani Reddy witl SA, coach Neil PowellSouth Africa coach Neil Powell has expressed his desire to coach Vodafone Fiji 7s team in the near future.

The Blitzbokke mentor declared his intent Monday before heading home after going down to England 19-7 in a contentious grand finale of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, Vancouver Sevens at the weekend.

“If I don’t go on to coach Super 15s, I would love to coach Fiji. It all comes down to opportunity”, Powell told Sportsone.

“I will love to coach a great team like Fiji. But it all comes down to weighing my options right”.

South Africa maintain a solid 23 point on the overall log, and despite going down to England in the final, an upbeat Neil said he is looking to the Hong Kong Sevens with a lot of optimism.

“Injury had plagued the team. In the final speedster Rosko Specman sustained a mild hamstring contusion”.

“Rugby is a physical game and injures are part of the game”, said Neil, who became former coach Paul Treu’s successor in 2013.

He said its back to grind in preparation for the sevens Holy Grail, the Hong Kong Sevens in March.

“Hong Kong is an amazing tournament. Every team wants it”.

When asked about his views on the recent dry run of the back to back HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series champion, Fiji’s performance, Neil said Fiji has some new players following the departure of big names to Super Rugby.

“New players will need time to jell well.

“You got give them time to reach their full potential”.

With a nod of approval, Neil said Fiji has a good coach, Gareth Baber.

“Baber is a good coach. He needs more time with the boys”.