Fiji coach Sam Domoni says his squad have taken confidence from Samoa’s example and believes they can beat New Zealand in Friday’s one-off rugby Test.
Domoni said Fiji wouldn’t have accepted the match if they didn’t think they had a winning chance, and Samoa’s 32-23 win over the Wallabies in Sydney last weekend proved even the best teams in the world could be beaten.
“Part of the plan is to achieve what the Samoans achieved in Australia,” Domoni said. “So we have got a few things in our head as well, it is a big motivation for the boys to be playing for Fiji on Friday night.
“Like all other teams, winning is part of believing in ourselves and what we can do because if we thought otherwise than we would not be going.”
The match at Carisbrook forms an important part of both Fiji and New Zealand’s preparation for the World Cup starting in September.
Fiji has only two Test matches against Tonga between Friday and the start of the World Cup, while the match is the All Blacks’ first of the season and an important first step.
“Everyone knows that the New Zealand team is the benchmark of world rugby,” Domoni said. “They have a very good side and this is a very important game for them, as this is their last game before the Tri-Nations starts.”
New Zealand beat Fiji 91-0 when the teams last met in 2005 but Domoni said his players were looking forward to Friday’s match without apprehension.
“Playing the All Blacks is like playing in the World Cup – it only comes around every four years,” he said. “The guys that are here are looking forward to the challenge. Playing against the All
The All Blacks will not be at full strength because coach Graham Henry is resting some players from the Crusaders and Blues who had arduous Super Rugby campaigns.
Henry said the Crusaders’ players in particular were emotionally and physically drained and would be like “dead men trying to play rugby” if they were asked to play again on Friday. He said he didn’t care about criticism of his decision to allow players time to recuperate.
“You can dress it up and criticise it, if you like. But the real thing is these guys just need space,” he said. “Some guys have got a bit of space now so they can come down and build up again. Others will have that space a little bit later in the (Tri-Nations) tournament, so it’s just a matter of making good decisions around those individuals, really.”
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Richie McCaw (capt), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Jarrad Hoeata, Ben Franks, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Piri Weepu, Dan Carter, Ben Smith.
Fiji squad: Iliesa Keresoni, Vereniki Goneva, Albert Vulivuli, Ravai Fatiaki, Napolioni Nalaga, Seremaia Bai, Vitori Buatava, Sakiusa Matadigo, Akapusi Qera, Dominiko Waqaniburotu (capt), Sekonaia Kalou, Rupeni Nasiga, Deacon Manu, Sunia Koto, Campese Ma’afu. Reserves: Setefano Samoca, Viliame Veikoso, Josefa Domolailai, Malakai Ravulo, Nemia Ranuku, Taniela Rawaqa, Metuisela Talebula, Timoci Nagusa, Netani Talei (two to be omitted).
methysticum
Guest
I understand that this was a very much Fiji B or C side as the French clubs, where 145 Fijians play professional rugby, have refused to release until the RWC itself.
Justin K2
Guest
I must say Nick you are absolutely spot on. A 60 - 14 win. The NZ press are slagging them off already and Fiji put up a good contest by scoring 2 tries. Still not a bad effort for a B side
Joseph
Guest
Yeah, your right OJ, nothing to really bite into about that game. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Naki
Guest
Dickinson is a joke, he made plenty more poor calls. I think he needs to go back to school and learn what a knock on is oh and what a forward pass is. ABs looked very rusty but they still put 60 on their opposition.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Average performance and a bit of a boring game really. Fiji's tries were more excitng than ours. Stu Dickinson had another wonderful performance. Hopefully tomorrow's game is better.
Joseph
Guest
First half bit of an anti-climax, All Blacks a bit rusty, second string team of coarse. 1st game for them. Fiji.......well.....what can I say. Samoa are a far better side. Fiji would be a better rugby league team. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Going for a surf
Guest
Ha Ha. Nice work boys. I think Samoa has taken care of any AB's complacency. Looking forward to the game.
ABshades
Guest
I would be just as worried about peaking and choking if I was an Oz supporter. Bearing in mind that Oz have a kiwi head coach and a kiwi first five, choking could have a real impact on the aussie performance!
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Yes, if I were a NZ rugby writer I'd prepare a copy of each so I could drink properly through the game.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Brought a smile to my face Nick_Kia. Good sense of humour.
Nick_KIA
Guest
OR spanking performance, everything great, so unspoken anxiety we peaked for first test of season, so we're going to win the bloody 3N and Bled again and get kicked out of WC in semis.
Nick_KIA
Guest
Yep. Guildford to drop a couple of balls, score a couple of tries without having to do much, so press unsure if he's 'got it', Messam is awful anyway we already know that, Slade to not be convincing, Mils/Sivi don't break enough tackles. Underlying unspoken anxiety of winning ugly means that we peaked last year and going to win the bloody 3N and Bled again and get kicked out of WC in semis.
dwc
Guest
hahah Nick_Kia very good... The NZ press...what will they say? Zac Guildford not good enough, Messam too loose, Richie rusty....
Nick_KIA
Guest
I predict rusty slow start by abs, 10-15 min patch where lots of points scored and scrappy finish to game. Fiji to rip into it with a few big hits, one or two injuries on either side, and a yellow card for a high tackle. ABs by 50, two tries to Fiji and grumpy NZ press after.
Spencer
Guest
It's only the NZ B team!
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
As much as I love watching Fiji play, they are no Samoa. All Blacks will contain the Fijian flare and grind them down thereby depriving them of their enthusiasm. After which the men in black will start crossing the Fiji line for a convincing win.
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
I can't see any weakness either, because both teams are regarded the best attacking team in broken play. If Fiji does manage to score tries, it will be because of sheer individual brilliance .
CizzyRascal
Roar Guru
Whereas you could see a weakness in the Australian side/game that Samoa could exploit, I can't see any weaknesses in the All Blacks game that Fiji can take advantage of.