- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The Rugby World Cup’s group of death looks set to claim another hapless victim when Wales and Fiji go head to head at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Join The Roar from 1:45am (AEST) for live scores and commentary.
When the draw for the 2015 Rugby World Cup was first released, rugby fans and the media had no hesitation in identifying Pool A as the dreaded pool of death.
With established rugby superpowers Australia, England and Wales all drawn together, Pool A was always going to see one of the big teams on an early flight home (unless it was England or Wales, of course, who could probably get the bus).
But the draw has arguably been most harsh on Fiji. The Pacific Islanders came into this World Cup with what many were calling their best team ever, featuring an abrasive forward pack and solid set-piece to finally supplement the brilliance and speed in their backline.
And their performances to date have supported this assessment, with the Fijians competitive against England in the tournament opener and the Wallabies a few days later.
Here they face a Wales team still buzzing from an incredible victory over England, but suffering the ill-effects of a terrible injury toll, and a short turnaround.
The Welsh had Jonathan Davies, Rhys Webb, Leigh Halfpenny, Cory Allen and Jack Dixon all officially ruled out before the Cup even started, before losing Scott Williams and Hallam Amos in the game against England. They are hurting.
In fact, despite that stunning upset victory over the hosts, Wales are still not guaranteed to go through to the knock-out stages, and a loss to Fiji would throw the doors to the pool wide open again.
For their part, Fiji are also missing crucial players, with giant winger Nemani Nadolo suspended, and fleet-footed scrum half Nikola Matawalu failing to recover from a back complaint.
It really is anyone’s game, and represents a delicious prospect for the neutral observer.
Prediction
Wales by 12
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.