FIJI Water Flying Fijians head coach Jake White has demanded his players to bring the same intensity they display for their European clubs into the national jersey, starting with this weekend’s Test against Japan.

White has challenged his players to demonstrate that their individual success in professional rugby can translate into stronger performances for Fiji as he begins shaping the team under his leadership.

The former Springboks coach questioned why Fijian players regularly collect individual honours in France but struggle to reproduce that same intensity when they return to represent their country.

“Why is it that in France every MVP player is a Fijian, every player of the season is a Fijian, every club man of the year is a Fijian?” White said.

“And then you bring them all back to Fiji and then we wonder why they don’t play with the same intensity.”

White said the challenge would be getting players to understand that representing Fiji demanded the same commitment they showed their clubs.

This weekend’s one of Test against Japan provides an early opportunity for the new coaching regime to assess that commitment as the Flying Fijians look to build towards their long-term ambitions.

White acknowledged the expectations of Fijian supporters, who have long hoped the 15s team could replicate the dominance achieved by the national sevens side.

He said he understood the pressure, having experienced similar expectations in South Africa.

“When we lose a Test match, Sundays become really dark days,” he said.

White’s message is clear: individual brilliance must translate into collective performance. Fiji takes on Japan at 5.50pm on Saturday.