Every time Wales, Australia or England play, the post-match commentary talks about whether or not they will get out of the ‘pool of death’ at this year’s Rugby World Cup.
It is of course a valid discussion, however it’s one in which Fiji (and Uruguay for that matter) are largely ignored.
Uruguay will no doubt be used as a means to increase percentage points, and the mostly amateur team will expect to be on the wrong end of some large scores.
Fiji, however, should be taken much more seriously.
I’m at least a little puzzled why a proud rugby nation that has made the quarter-finals twice (1987 and 2007) is given no recognition. If anything, allowing them to fly under the radar makes them more dangerous.
History clearly shows that Fiji can perform on rugby’s biggest stage. Wales especially won’t need reminding that in 2007 they were knocked out of the pool stages by Fiji. They even managed to give eventual winners South Africa a scare in their match that year.
In the 1987 and 1999 cups, the French stopped them from further progress – 1999 was especially memorable after Paddy O’Brien did the Fijians no favours at all in front of a home crowd.
In 2003, the Scots kept the Fijians from advancing by a mere 22-20 victory, a match many will remember for Rupeni Caucaunibuca’s double.
With such a solid Rugby World Cup record, surely the Fijians are aiming to get past the pool stage, just like the other teams.
One of the great things about the Rugby World Cup is that the whole rugby world focuses on the one tournament. In the years between teams play many Test matches while missing many of their European stars, and results often reflect this.
But as far as I’m aware, during (and before) the Rugby World Cup players are released from all club duties. This means the Pacific Islanders are able to commit a full-strength side and be much better prepared than some of the one-off Tests during the autumn and June windows.
In other words, Fiji will play the best side available, and consistently.
Another important point to consider is player fatigue. In pool C for example, there is no doubt the All Blacks will be thinking about resting players against Namibia or Georgia (no disrespect intended). Will Wales, Australia or England have the same luxury against Fiji? It would be a tactic fraught with danger if they do.
This in fact bodes badly for all the teams in the pool because it will mean three very intense games in a stage of the tournament that has traditionally had one or two. Whoever the two qualifiers are, they will most likely be much more battered by the time they get to the next stage than those in other pools.
So, am I saying Fiji will make the quarter final? It is unlikely, and they are a team who can be underwhelming. But I’m tired of the pool of death being portrayed as a three-horse race. They have the capacity to cause more than one upset.
tommy fiji
Guest
we can all say this and that .. I just like to tell all of you guys to calm down and just wait for the opening game of the world cup! the best of Fiji rugby is yet to be showcased! flying Fijians got this!
mania
Guest
thats awesome math there ben . GO SAMOA!!!
Mike
Guest
Fiji were smashed by Wallabies in their pool match in 2007, but beat Wales. They ran into the eventual tournament winners Boks in the QF and were knocked out, but not disgraced. Presumably at Heathrow they sat in the lounge commiserating with other QF losers, the Wallabies and the All Blacks. :P
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
Is Fiji really going to play Nadolo at 12? That should give them go forward ball...perhaps the a Waratahs should play Naiyaravoro at 12 he is about the same size?
atlas
Guest
deleted, oops
Eddard
Roar Guru
I think Fiji will definitely be a threat. They look like they've got more depth than ever and if the coaching staff can get the team confident and well prepared then anything could happen. Even their best domestic players have done pretty well recently in the Pacific Challenge - only losing by 2 points to the Argentina Pampas (containing several capped Pumas) last week. And they have another chance to play them in the final on Monday.
Lindsay Amner
Roar Guru
I would love for Fiji to cause an upset, there's no country or a people in the world I love more than Fijians. I hope you're right Vhavnal, that 2011 was all about the coaching and not about the missing players. We'll see I suppose.
ben
Guest
Whats maths got to do with anything? Last time samoa and the qantasroos played according to my maths samoa had more points than them...so that means they won. Hows that for maths.
Lostintokyo
Guest
Rugby Tragic. Yes, I picked up on the interpretation mistake after I sent text. The meaning I meant to express was from conception, the first World Cup, ie 1987. The Wallabies in 1987 I agree were favourites. If not for some late stage souring of relations between Jones and the troops it would have been Australia's greatest rugby hour. And the greatest of Wallaby teams. If Ella had not retired,Blanco would not have scored the winning try too, but that is another story. Glad you made sure of no misinterpreted message. Agree mate!
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Lostintokyo, I wonder what makes you suggest that the Wallabies had poor prospect in 1987, when in fact they were probably favourites following their exploits in NZ the year before.
Lostintokyo
Guest
Agree. Joseph in centres could be another Gusgott.
Birdy
Guest
I think you're right about Fiji, and the Wallabies being the more vulnerable team to them. I don' think most pundits (not 'up North' anyway), are claiming it's a battle for 2nd place behind England. What most are saying is that if England top the group (a big 'if') they'd be good odds to make the final given the momentum and the draw. As an England fan I'm very nervous. Ironically, I think the two most likely results for England are making the final or not getting out of the pool - it doesn't make for a relaxed build-up to the tournament. It also won't necessarily be the case that the England backline will be hugely inferior to the Wallabies or Wales. They seem to have found an outside centre and half-back pairing this 6N that could surprise a few. If they could nail down the 12 shirt (Tuilagi perhaps if fit) then they'll have a dangerous backline as the back 3 can cause problems.
Birdy
Guest
God; there are some scary and skilful players there. I hope England have packed enough plasters and smelling salts.
Birdy
Guest
I think this will be the main concern for the 'big 3'. In terms of talent you'd probably make Fiji number 1 in the group, but year on year rugby becomes more technical and heavily coached/organised. I think there's increasingly less scope for the sort of upsets we've seen in the past. Fiji will be great with ball in hand; but how much ball will they have against Wales, Australia and England? It makes for less romantic rugby, but I think all 3 will beat Fiji comfortably on the scoreboard. Their medical rooms, however, will be 'busy'. England probably have an advantage looking at the tournament as a whole as they play Fiji first up, then Wales and Australia. Assuming the massive 'if' that they win those 3 they can rest-up for a couple of weeks as they have Uruguay in the final pool match.
Sailosi
Guest
Belief and the set piece will get crushed. They don't mentally handle the set piece against teams like England, New Zealand. I think they belief they can beat Wales.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Imo Samoa will (again) be the P.I team the most likely to reach the QF. Fiji have lost their mojo in the XV format, probably tried to 'europeanise' their rugby too much. When you see how dominant they are at Sevens I reckon it's worth a shot trying to keep their instinctive rugby and see how it goes. If they try to copy big nations' structured rugby they will fail. Imo their only chance is to play a rugby other teams aren't used to facing, i.e. sevens. I hope at least one of Samoa, Fiji and Tonga reach the QF and that the refs will this time be impartial when they play the big guys. The pool game Samoa lost vs Boks at the last rwc is a good example of the natural bias rwc refs have towards 'big' teams.
pjm
Roar Rookie
It's an Australian tradition to blast our own team while talking up minnows that we've never even see play.
pjm
Roar Rookie
It seems you failed maths.
Sammy
Guest
I agree Bamboo But it would have a team from one of the pacific nation (not a pacific island JV). There are enough players in NZ / Australia eligible to represent a team from one of the Pacific Nation. It would be as competitive as the Lions / Cheetahs / Force / Rebels team. They would have support at home and anywhere they played in NZ or Australia - on a par if not more than some teams. It is a bit of an insult to suggest a pacific island JV team when we have Australian teams recruiting players from NZ / SA / Island Nations to make up their playing numbers.
ethan
Guest
Game plan: Pass it to Nadolo.