INSTILLING better structures and organisation into the FIJI Water Flying Fijians defensive system has been core objective for defence coach David Ellis since he took the post back on September 1 earlier this year.

The former France defence coach who was also the central figure behind the All-Blacks defensive system during the British and Irish Lions in 2005 is settling slowly into his new role and believes the national team has made some defensive strides since he took charge during the Pacific Nations Cup.

“What I’ve seen from a distance and up close now with regards to the defence is putting in more structure and organisation into the defensive system of the team and also working really hard on their discipline so we not giving penalties away” he said.

Given Fiji’s unstructured by lethal attacking flair Ellis believes discipline will be critical in both their attacking and defensive plays.

“We’ve set certain standards with the team since I’ve started and we are managing to achieve these standards to the number of penalties we’ve conceded which will help us stay more competitive during the game,” Ellis noted.

Fiji’s upcoming Test against Japan will be Elli’s third match as the Flying Fijian’s defence coach and an opportunity to further strengthen his defensive strategy before the upcoming November tour in Europe.