Fiji should be regarded as RWC pool contenders, not plucky underdogs
The last time Fiji qualified for the Rugby World Cup knockout stages, they were the third-seeded team in a pool with Australia and Wales.
That was 2007.
In 2015, they were also drawn with Australia and Wales but this time they were the fourth-seeded side, with England turning that pool into the famous ‘Group of Death’. Now, in 2019, they are again drawn with Australia and Wales, seeded third, with their best chance to make it out of the pool since 2007.
Rugby World Cup 2019 looks like it will be the most competitive global tournament by some way, with potential pitfalls in every group and the smaller nations suggesting they will cause some serious problems for Tier 1 teams that take them lightly. Japan could well qualify from their pool, propelled by their fast style and home advantage, while Argentina will feel they could top their group, if things fall into place.
Despite contributing some of the most thrilling players the game has ever seen, Fiji have only made the quarter-finals of a world cup twice, in 1987 and 2007, and have never got further. But with the success of their sevens side, the victory over France in Paris last year, and the controversy over their reported exclusion from World Rugby’s future plans, their profile is higher than it has been for years.
England’s elimination from the 2015 tournament’s “Group of Death” understandably generated more headlines but the strength of that pool meant that Fiji finished fourth and didn’t automatically qualify this time around. Their comfortable campaign, with four wins from four to top their group, showed their quality and they will be hoping to continue their recent momentum.
Fiji aim to take off
Levani Botia, Semi Kunatani, Viliame Mata, Nikola Matawalu, Leone Nakarawa, Filipo Nakosi, Semi Radrada, Josua Tuisova, Ben Volavola, and Peceli Yato all make Fiji’s 38-man training squad for the Pacific Nations Cup, along with players like Newcastle’s Josh Matavesi and the seemingly timeless Vereniki Goneva. That’s some serious talent both up front and in the backs, and coach John McKee is looking forward to having time with his players in camp, a luxury Fiji don’t often get between world cups.
“Now is the time, with all planning in place, I am really looking forward to getting into camp with the players from July 1st. We know we have a lot of work to do between our assembly and traveling to Japan for our first game against Australia in the Rugby World Cup.” Fiji’s 14-21 victory over France last autumn gives a hint of what this team can do with some preparation time.
In truth, it’s remarkable that a team that could field such players in its first XV could be considered a “dark horse” or a team capable of “causing an upset”. Fiji have an outstanding group of players, who ply their trade under some of the best coaches in the domestic game, and regularly experience high-intensity, high-pressure games, whether in the Champions Cup, the Top 14 playoffs, or Olympic sevens.
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In fact, given the current weakness of Australia, a side experiencing one of the leanest periods in their history and currently embroiled in a very public legal fight with their one-time best player, we should be talking about Fiji as serious contenders to qualify for the knockout stages at the expense of the Australians. That we aren’t is partly because of the long-standing structural problems that all Pacific Island sides face, which, among other things, make it difficult to create strength in depth.
In this regard, however, Fiji are not alone. Ireland and Wales have been working extremely hard to create deeper squads for this tournament but most sides are facing the loss of some of their best players, with many tweaking their selection policies in response. Even New Zealand have seen a serious player drain over the past few years.
While Fiji aren’t as well-placed to combat the loss of players as other nations, they have still put together a squad with arguably more depth than they have in the past few tournaments – so much so that the recent retirement of outstanding winger Nemani Nadolo hasn’t hit in the way it might have been expected to.
In this, the sevens pathway has helped, with many of the current squad having previously represented the country in the shorter-format game. Four players – Semi Kunatani, Viliame Mata, Leone Nakarawa, and Josua Tuisova – won Olympic gold medals in 2016 while Levani Botia’s sevens background has famously enabled him to play flanker and centre with ease, often switching to the wing as well.
McKee has also warned his players not to coast now they are in the squad, suggesting they might be replaced by in-form players outside the squad. “Players can be included at any time based on them showing outstanding form and fitness level. This can include locally based players playing in the Swire Shipping Fijian Latui or at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.”
If McKee can successfully prepare this talented group of players they could use the Pacific Nations Cup, games against Japan, Canada, and Samoa to test out players and tactics, as a springboard for RWC success. Fiji play Australia first and don’t have to play Wales, currently ranked second in the world, until their last game so a strong start could see them well-placed to qualify for the knockout stage by the final game. Could they go further? It’s worth watching them to find out.
Comments on RugbyPass
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments