McKee eyeing WC qualifiers

Fiji coach John McKee says that the 37-14 loss to Australia in Melbourne is all good practice for their World Cup qualifiers later this month.

Fiji will host Italy and Scotland in Suva over the next two weeks before they take on Samoa and Tonga for a place in the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

McKee sees the two key lead-up Tests against Six Nations opposition as ideal preparation ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

The winner of the Oceania qualifying will earn a place in the same pool as the Wallabies in the World Cup and McKee said topping that tournament was Fiji’s main objective.

“Every week we play, we go out to win Test matches, that’s what we’re there for but the eye is on the big goal at the end and we’ve got to make sure we’re developing our game,” McKee told reporters after Saturday’s Test.

“Next week we’ll have a few players back so we’ll have a stronger squad to choose from.”

Wing Patrick Osborne will meet up with the squad after his club Highlanders take on the British and Irish Lions on Tuesday, while Toulon back Josua Tuisova will return home after playing in the Top 14 final in France.