A frightening Fiji XV that could cause serious damage at RWC2019
When it comes to the rugby public’s perception of Fiji – cliché is not in short supply.
Many casual fans prefer lazy conclusions about Tier 2 teams, and attitudes to Fiji are no different. Perennially tagged as talented but ultimately unreliable, the stereotype is of a team that plays entertaining rugby but – other than the odd shock result – will generally succumb to the structured, pressure game of Tier 1 sides.
Those clichés began to unravel at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Fiji had the best scrum in the tournament with England, Wales and Australia all suffering at their hands, suggesting that a Fijian side with a strong set piece is not only possible but now has precedent.
More recently in the 2017 November Tests, Fiji came the closest of any southern hemisphere side to beating Ireland, with a smaller margin of defeat than South Africa and Argentina.
That side’s backline also showcased the unique physical arsenal that Fiji can call upon – boasting an average weight of 111kg among their outside backs. That’s a figure some 15kg heavier than the average international backline player.
With RWC 2019 on the horizon, Fiji have near perfect storm of attacking talent at their disposal, and given enough time together and something approaching a level footing on resources, they are a team that have the potential to go far. Australia, Wales, Georgia and Canada be warned.
1 Campese Ma’afu
The Northampton Saints prop proved in 2015 that he and tighthead partner Saulo are more than a match for Tier 1 nations as scrummagers. When so many players that can carry, Fijian props can be left to the job of scrummaging.
2 Talemaitoga Tuapati
While he plays his rugby in the French lower divisions, Tuapati is a strong hooker who has represented Stade Francais and Southland in the Mitre 10.
3 Manasa Saulo
As with Ma’afu, the London Irish prop is one of Fijian rugby ‘war horses’ and as alluded to two paragraphs ago, was part of the pack that humbled their Tier 1 rivals at the set piece in 2015.
4 Tevita Cavubati
Brother of the giant Bill Cavubati (capped 27 times for Fiji), Tevita (6’6, 120kg) made his professional breakthrough with Tasman Makos in New Zealand’s ITM Cup, having previously been with Taranaki and Welsh Pro 12 side, Ospreys, before signing for the Newcastle Falcons in 2017.
5 Leone Nakawara
RugbyPass argued that Leone Nakawara was the best player in the world in 2017, based off the fact that no other secondrow on the planet can do what he does. A huge player is every sense of the word and as dynamic a front five forward as you’ll find.
6 Peceli Yato
One of the best ball carrying loose forwards in Europe, the 6’5, 105kg Yato has been wreaking havoc for Clermont in recent seasons, and is outstanding at lock (where he has played for Fiji) or in the backrow.
7 Levani Botia
One of the hardest players on the planet to tackle one-on-one, La Rochelle moved him to openside but he played at 12 for Fiji in November. Whichever position he plays, a nightmare to defend against.
8 Viliame Mata
While the incumbent No.8 Nemani Nagusa brings a high level of athleticism to the base of Fiji’s scrum, the 6’5, 116kg Mata has been in fine form for Edinburgh and would potentially bring more size to the pack while not sacrificing on dynamism.
9 Niko Matawalu
A favourite at the Glasgow Warriors, Matawalu spent two unsatisfying years at Bath and Exeter Chiefs before returning north where his talents weren’t squandered.
10 Josh Matavesi
Ben Volavola has done little wrong but Matavesi’s playmaking skillset, powerful carrying and experience in the Pro14 and Premiership just can’t be ignored. A criminally underrated player who the Ospreys for one have missed desperately in their midfield this season.
11 Nemani Nadolo
What is left to be said about the 6’4, 137kg juggernaut? On his day he is unplayable, and in recent years has become the most prolific player in European rugby and is probably the most formidable attacking player on the planet.
12 Jale Vatabua
The 6’2, 112kg Vatabua is the cornerstone of Pau’s midfield, and hasn’t looked out of place with two All Blacks – Colin Slade and Conrad Smith – on either side of him. Big hits and big runs, he does it all.
13 Semi Radradra
It might be too much to hope that Semi is available for Fiji come the World Cup. Having returned to Union with Toulon he has very quickly caught up, and while he’s still learning on the job, the former NRL superstar has the potential to be devastating.
14 Josua Tuisova
Another ridiculously powerful human being, Tuisova is vying with the aforementioned Botia as the player you would least like to meet in a one-on-one. Can be prone to concentration lapses but the tank-like wing is so hard to stop that entire defensive strategies have to be organised when you play against him.
15 Jarryd Hayne
It does a huge disservice to excellent La Rochelle fullback Kini Murimurivalu, but if you will join us a little leap of imagination, the idea of Hayne playing at a rugby union World Cup is just too hard a selection to pass up. His highly dissected but ultimately successive stint in the NFL showed he can cross to a code far more alien than union. There was talk of a switch to the Waratahs after his unsuccessful Olympic Sevens bid, which it proves it might not be that fanciful an idea. The danger is of course that Hayne could become the Fijian Sam Burgess, but wouldn’t it be worth it just for the hype alone?
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments