Newly appointed Flying Fijians coach John McKee says his previous experience with the Pacific teams will help him adapt well with the national team.
McKee was last night appointed the new Fiji team mentor and has already started work from today in the build-up the international outings next month.
He has previously worked with the Tonga national side and also the Pacific Islanders team in 2008, which McKee says has helped him learn more about Pacific rugby.
“For me that puts me in a really good position and maybe the board took that into account. But certainly a lot of experience in Pacific Islands rugby. It is different to Auckland, Sydney and London. You can’t just transpose what program might be done in Super Rugby to the Fijian context. For me I am looking to blend my experience from wide range of fields to make the best for the Fijians.”
McKee was last year appointed the Fiji Rugby Union High Performance manager, a role, he will continue in for the time being.
“We haven’t really discussed that a lot. Obviously, I was only offered the position yesterday so haven’t had a lot of time to think about it. Had a brief discussion with the board last evening and I think we don’t do much between now and at the end of the June series and I will continue in both roles. During that time we will make an assessment of the best requirement going forward. And then we will look at short listing a group of candidates or advertising the position after June.”
McKee will be at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka this afternoon to watch Nadroga take on Tavua.
