The Sportsworld Fiji Under-20 team must win their first match against the Hurricanes if they are to progress in their Super Rugby U20 campaign.

This was the gist of head coach Senirusi Seruvakula’s interview with SUNsports on Friday.

“We haven’t beaten Hurricanes for the past four years going into Super Rugby, “he said.

“We want to make it count and create history out there.”

Seruvakula will test the young players in the Fiji U20 system for exposure with the intention to recruit them to the Fiji Warriors setup.

“It’s a different ball game altogether playing in the Deans competition and there’s not more than five that are playing in the last Super Rugby competition,” he said.

“I’m looking forward for these young players to really gel well and perform.”

Seruvakula advised the players to enjoy themselves on the pitch.

“Everything is possible, if the first time we went to Super W unbeaten then why can’t we do it with the men’s and Under-20s in Super Rugby also,” he said.

“I will make sure that we will go there and make a mark. In this competition it’s different you will only know your opponent in the first game.”

Seruvakula said the team that loses would automatically qualify for the losing pools.

“If you win, you progress and if you win all your three games you have won the whole tournament,” he said.

“It’s a big opportunity; big learning and we’ll gain a lot of experience from it before we come back and prepare for the Oceania.”

Seruvakula indicated that Iliesa Erenavula was selected as captain because of his leadership qualities.

“He also played in the Super Rugby Under-20 competition last year and he’s got two co-captions with the likes of Sam Chapman and Anare Tabakaucoro,” he said.

The team departs our shores next Monday and will meet the Hurricanes on March 15 at Owen Delaney Park in Taupo, New Zealand.

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