HE IS fitter, faster and now feels he has added more flair to his armoury.
Ravai Fatiaki might not be playing as much as he would like as he remains on the fringes of the first team.
But the Fijian, who has made 13 appearances for Worcester Warriors this season, is happy with his slighter figure and new style of game.
When Fatiaki arrived at Sixways in 2011, he was seen as the go-to man to gain extra yards and provide more space for others to exploit. ‘Get the ball and smash forward’ were his simple instructions.
But now, under director of rugby Dean Ryan’s regime, the 24-year-old has been given a different role which Fatiaki said he has given his a new lease of life.
“I have developed a lot since I got here,” he said. “When I was in Fiji and came here with Hilly (Richard Hill) I was always a crash ball guy where I would just truck it up.
“But now I have started to widen my span of rugby and with the coaches we have now they have really helped me a lot in my defence and attack as well.
“When Dean (Ryan) came over things started to change, so I have had to adapt. I am still the same person, but I am trying to develop my skills, so I am playing out a little bit more.
“It was a different era under Hilly, but now we are playing modern rugby. Even the forwards are getting involved by playing that extra pass, which has been great to see.”
Fatiaki, who has got another year left on his contract at Warriors, also revealed he has lost 3kg since hard taskmaster Nick Johnston arrived as high performance director.
“I have had to work hard on my fitness,” he said. “Pre-season was quite tough as we had to lose a few kilos to improve your body composition and stuff. When I first came I was 104kg, but now I am 101kg.
“I feel better playing this way rather than being big as you are slow around the pitch and you get tired quickly.”
The centre has not featured for Fiji since 2012, but he admitted he was still hopeful of forcing his way into the international squad for the Rugby World Cup.
“At the moment, I don’t really know what is going in with Fiji, but I am guessing there will be a trial and if I get a chance to do I will give my best and if I get picked then happy days,” he said.
“I have not played for them since 2012 was when I injured myself. I was out for six months and credit to the coaches, like Hilly as they did not let me go and were loyal to me.
“After that I kind of thought twice because if I get injured again it’s unfair for your club.
“But for now I need to get back in there and hopefully I’ll get the trial.”