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Former Wallaby Foley to add clout to Fiji

Wednesday 7 September 2011, 6:33PM

By Rugby World Cup 2011

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Ex-Wallaby Michael Foley will join the Fiji camp next week
Ex-Wallaby Michael Foley will join the Fiji camp next week Credit: RWC

ROTORUA

Former Australia prop Michael Foley will be rushed into Fiji’s camp next week to help fix the team’s scrummaging problems.

Foley has been working as a scrum consultant for the Fijians, who take on Namibia at Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday, 10 September.

Fiji assistant coach Greg Mumm, another Australian, said Foley and Fiji captain Deacon Manu provide a wealth of knowledge and experience for the young forwards.

“We’ve been very lucky to have Michael Foley over in Fiji a number of times working on our scrum,” said Mumm, whose brother Dean was an unlucky omission from the Wallabies' World Cup squad.

“He’ll be rejoining us again next week. So between Michael and myself and Deacon, who brings a lot of experience, we’ve continued to develop our game and we’re making good headway."

Physical challenge

Foley was appointed as New South Wales Waratahs head coach in August and Mumm is confident he will help nurture the Fijian pack.

“We’ve got some young props - Waisea Nailago is just going to get better with exposure and obviously Campese Ma’afu is still quite young in terms of Tests at this level,” said Mumm.

The Fijians were badly exposed in the scrums in a 60-14 defeat by New Zealand in July but Mumm is confident they can match the physical Namibians this weekend.

“We’re pretty confident we’ve done enough work to be ready and we’ll only get better throughout the tournament,” he said.