THE magnetism of Fiji has somewhat mellowed the expectations of the Vodafone national 7s coach Ben Ryan. The man, who is spearheading Fijis campaign to its first-ever Olympic Games medal, is learning to work within the limited resources Fiji can offer to ensure the national side is back on top of the world in 7s rugby. Fijis campaign to make the 2016 Olympic Games is well in progress as the national side marched into the Dubai 7s semi-finals early this morning after 31-17 win over Wales in the quarters last night. Englishman Ryan, who comes from a rugby background that enjoyed the luxuries of professional rugby facilities, has virtually become a Fijian in nature after spending just a year in the country. He is proving that the basic necessities of rugby, coupled with disciplined sportsmen hungry for a win, and a coach who dares to become one with them in body, mind and spirit are indeed all the winning combinations a team could ever need. Speaking to The National newspaper of Dubai, Ryan, who went without his pay when joining Fiji Rugby Union as the head coach of the national 7s side, says he is learning a lot about life from his players. I know where the players come from, I have been to their villages and seen the level of sacrifice they have made to come from nothing. It is unique in that rugby makes a massive change to each of these boys lives, Ryan said. He used newcomer Jerry Tuwai as an example suggesting his talent resembles that of greats such as Waisale Serevi and William Ryder. A month ago, he was unemployed, Ryan said of Tuwai. He comes from a settlement in Suva, has no electricity in the house and a long-drop toilet. His dad, when he is employed, is a fisherman, so fish is all he would eat. Now Jerry is earning hundreds — not thousands (of pounds) — and that has changed his whole life. Ryan said Tuwais dad slept on the airport floor having hitched a lift so he could say goodbye to his son before the Gold Coast. If I had any worries over not being paid for a few months, it quickly disappeared, he added
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 11:49:12 +0000
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