FINAL LOOK: The Flying Fijians' chances at RWC2015
With less than three weeks to go, Dylan Wolfgramm, assesses Fiji's chances at RWC15.
Bula and Welcome to the home of the Flying Fijians, Waisale Serevi, kava and the heartland of the Pacific.
The Flying Fijians have had a disappointing build-up to this year’s Rugby World Cup. Over the past four years, I’ve seen some poor performances in the South Pacific Cup, very poor northern hemisphere tours, and little show of form in key matches such as the exhibition match against the Classic All Blacks.
Matches such as these do not help the team’s form when the majority of the starting 22 ply their trade overseas in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
However, Fiji did win the 2015 Pacific Nations cup by going through undefeated and showing consistency throughout the shortened tournament.
The Flying Fijians have a tough pool in this year’s RWC and having to face three of the top eight teams in the world will 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, remembering that Fijian flair can never last 80 minutes.
- They must play well structured, balanced and consistent rugby in order to win.
- Finally they must have a strong kicking game; this has been absent from Fijian rugby for many years and only by pinning teams down in their own 20 can Fiji go a long way to taking their potential winning chances.
Head Coach John McKee named has now named his final 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The team is as follows:
Props
1. Lee Roy Atalifo
2. Isei Colati
3. Campese Maafu
4. Peni Ravai
5. Manasa Saulo
Hookers
6. Sunia Koto
7. Tuapati Talemaitoga
8. Viliame Veikoso
Locks
9. Tevita Cavubati
10. Leone Nakarawa
11. Api Ratuniyarawa
12. Nemia Soqeta
Backrow
13. Sakiusa Masi Matadigo
14. Akapusi Qera
15. Malakai Ravulo
16. Netani Talei
17. Dom Waqaniburotu
18. Peceli Yato
Halves
19. Nemia Kenatale
20. Nikola Matawalu
21. Henry Seniloli
Flyhalves
22. Lepani Botia
23. Gabriele Lolobalavu
24. Joshua Matavesi
25. Ben Volavola
Centre's/Wingers
26. Vereniki Goneva
27. Kini Murimurivalu
28. Nemani Nadolo
29. Waisea Nayacalevu
30. Metuisela Talebula
31. Asaeli Tikoirotuma
Akapusi Qera will captain the side with Sunia Koto and Vereniko Goneva as support.
The inclusion of Ben Volavola will add to the much needed kicking game for the Fijians, the team will need to ensure all members are fit and have much needed form before the tournament begins in under three weeks, on the 18th September 2015.
Fiji’s RWC Matches are follows:
19 September - England v Fiji
24 September - Australia v Fiji
2 October - Wales v Fiji
7 October - Fiji v Uruguay
I do not see the Fijians making the knockout stages, but anything is possible with the Fiji Team.
If they can beat Wales and Uruguay, and possibly upset the English or Australians it will be a great step for this squad. We know and expect that they will always put up a great fight and show the world why they are simply known as the Flying Fijians.
My Prediction:
Fiji will beat Uruguay and Wales, but will fall to England and Australia. But anything is possible with Fiji.
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