RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015: Fiji's prospects assessed
Dylan Wolfgramm will be previewing and reviewing Fiji's matches at this years RWC from England - how will Fiji fare? Read on!
Bula and Welcome to the home of the Flying Fijians, Waisale Serevi, Kava and the heartland of the South Pacific.
What will 2015 bring for the Pacific powerhouse? Let's take a recap of the 2007 and 2011 World Cup key moments and see how they match up for 2015.
2007 - the miracle World Cup I like to say, The Fijians were placed in a pool along side Australia, Wales, Japan and Canada. They had every chance of making the knockout stage and looked well on track to doing that by beating Canada and Japan convincingly. But their biggest and best opportunity to achieve it would be against the Welsh who were favorites to join Australia in the knockout stages. Fiji looked gone for all money when the Welsh scored two quick tries through an intercept and a masterpiece from winger Shane Williams. But you can never count out the flair of the Fijians as they stormed home to win a memorable match and make the quarterfinals for the first time. Another noble performance was their first quarter final match against eventual winners South Africa, where they drew level at 20 points a piece after two spectacular tries from wingers Vilimone Delasau and Sireli Bobo with 15 minutes remaining in the match.
2011 - was a very disappointing year for the Flying Fijians. They were placed in Pool D with South Africa, Wales, Samoa and Namibia. This would have been another miracle if the Fijians would have made the knockout stages having to beat the 2007 World Champions, South Africa, Six Nations giants, Wales, and the new powerhouse of the Pacific, Samoa. Fiji beat Namibia 49-25, scored only 3 points in the 46 point loss to the Boks, registered a 20 point loss to Samoa, and could not score anything in the 66 point loss to Wales. A very disappointing campaign indeed.
We head now into the 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign with new head coach John McKee who named his training squad last month. Let's take a look at the teams certainties and fringed players and see what the strengths and weaknesses are.
Certainties
1. Nikola Matawalu
The nippy halfback is a definite for the Fijians, plying his trade at Bath Rugby Club along side Sam Burgess and a few of the English team members and will have some knowledge of how they play. Nikola has given an attacking masterclass for the Fijians in recent years since coming in to the international scene in 2010 against Australia. He will be vital in organizing the attack for the national team and taking them forward. Look to him to have a leadership role and to score tries, but he will need to keep the ball in hand and less kicking.
2. Akapusi Qera
The big man from Montpellier,France will be another powering certainty for the Fijians. Has been a reliable and consistent force for his club team and is always performing in the international scene. The 31 year old looks set to take part in his third and what is possibly his last World Cup, and he may be given the Captaincy again after last leading the team in 2013 against Canada in the Pacific Nations Cup.
3. Nemani Nadolo
The Fijian wrecking-ball has had a stellar year and is great after completing a perfect season on the wing with the Super Rugby powerhouse, Canterbury Crusaders. He was the equal top try scorer in the Super Rugby competition in 2014 and ended finishing 3rd in the competition this year. He a freak and will add much needed power to the back line. In a team filled with power wingers, he will need to look for more work in the center also.
Fringe
1. Henry Seniloli
The halfback who is plying his trade with Benetton Rugby Treviso is a notable player who made his international debut against Romania in 2013. He made the headlines this year for show-boating on his way to a certain try before being tackled and losing the ball over the try line. He has great pace and skill, can be a weapon off the bench that the Fiji team will need. Look to him to replace Nikola Matawalu and secure his Rugby World Cup birth.
2. Ben Volavola
The fly half who has recently just signed with the Canterbury Crusaders in New Zealand will be a great addition to the Fiji team. After pledging his allegiance to Fiji last summer, he is most likely going to start for the Fiji team ahead of veteran Seremai Bai. Ben brings speed, field awareness and a much needed kicking game that has been absent from the Fiji team for many years. Field position is essential for any rugby side and with Ben at the helm, look to see him set alight the stage with pace, skill and defensive that hasn't been seen since 2007.
3. Tapele Naiyavoro
The bullocking 195cm & 110kg giant of a man has had a breakout season for the Waratahs in the Super 15 competition scoring 9 impressive tries by showing great strength and power on the wing. The league convert had shown an impressive scoring sheet going over 23 times in 15 games for the Balmain Tigers in the NSW cup competition. He has not looked back since making the Waratahs list and has been the talk of the rugby world in Australia as many say he will make the Michael Cheikas Wallabies list once the Super Rugby season is over. Being named in the Fiji squad came as a shock to the Wallabies and the rugby world, but whoever Taqele goes with he is sure to be a wanted addition. If he joins the Fijians he would be a definite starter, but as the back line is filled with great wingers this may limit his opportunity. But if he chooses the Wallabies he will be given every opportunity to become the number one winger along side fellow Fijian, Henry Speight.
The Flying Fijians have a tough pool and being paced with 3 of the top 8 teams in the world does not help their chances of making the knockout stages. So what are the key points for the Fijians? They must take every chance they can get when in opposition territory, Fijian flair can never last 80 minutes - they must play structured and well balanced football in order to win and finally they must have a strong kicking game. This has been absent from Fijian rugby for many years but by pinning teams down in their own 20 Fiji can go a long way in taking chances.
I do not see the Fijians making the knockout stages but they will create and upset and could potentially scrape in. They will always put up a great fight and show the world why they are simply known as - the Flying Fijians.
