RWC 2019 – The Competitors – Fiji

Fiji are the masters of spontaneity, and are quite simply mandatory viewing in RWC tournaments. When they get it together they are highly competitive and capable of magical performances. For 2019 the probable roster will be packed with big-name players from leading professional leagues, providing the Flying Fijians with the means of causing genuine damage in Japan.

As a two-time Quarter Finalist Fiji has an impressive resumé. Their overall record, though, would arguably be even more impressive with better luck from the draw. Of their campaigns the most memorable was arguably that of RWC 2007 in which Fiji eliminated Wales before giving South Africa a genuine fright in the final eight.

In overall numbers Fiji’s RWC win-loss record is inferior to that of Italy’s. The Pacific Islanders have one less victory and one more loss than that of Italy. There are two additional noteworthy factors to differentiate the teams at RWCs (a) Fiji has made the Quarter Finals unlike Italy; and (b) Italy has played at every RWC while Fiji missed out on qualifying for RWC 1995.

 

WORLD CUP HISTORY

RWC	FINAL PLACING	RESULTS
1987	Quarter Finals	Won vs Argentina, Lost vs Italy, New Zealand, France
1991	Group Stage	Lost vs Canada, France, Romania
1995	Did Not Qualify	–
1999	Quarter Final Play-Off	Won vs Canada, Namibia Lost vs France, England
2003	Group Stage	Won vs Japan, USA Lost vs France, Scotland
2007	Quarter Finals	Won vs Canada, Japan, Wales Lost vs Australia, South Africa
2011	Group Stage	Won vs Namibia Lost vs Samoa, South Africa, Wales
2015	Group Stage	Won vs Uruguay Lost vs Australia, England, Wales

Overall record: Played 28, Won 10, Lost 18

 

RWC 2019 SCHEDULE

Fiji are in Pool D, a difficult group but one they will feel they can advance from. Their schedule can be divided into Part 1 and 2. Part 1 will be challenging with just three rest days between facing Australia, and Uruguay. It is to be complicated by the required travel from Sapporo to Kamaishi. Part 2 sees friendly dates and treats fans to two quality mid-week fixtures.

Against Australia Head Coach John McKee will need to make the decision of whether or not to field his top line-up or rest players to face Uruguay? Given their November 2018 result it is highly likely that Fiji will be at full-strength against Australia and have a mixture of starters and wider roster members against Uruguay.

A trip from Hokkaido island to Honshu island and, all told over 700km of road awaits Fiji in between their first and second matches. This increases the likelihood of Fiji having many changes for their match against Los Teros.

Player and time management will not be an issue in Part 2 for Fiji. With adequate days between games vs Uruguay, Georgia, and Wales the Pacific Islanders will be able to field their highest available line-up. They will, nonetheless, require further extensive traveling with a trip of 1000km south to Osaka from Kamaishi and then over 400km from Osaka to Oita.

DATE	OPPONENT	VENUE
Sat, Sept 21	Australia	Sapporo Dome, Sapporo
Wed, Sept 25	Uruguay	Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi
Thurs, Oct 3	Georgia	Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka
Wed, Oct 9	Wales	Oita Stadium, Oita

 

PREDICTED TRAVELING 31

Forwards: Campese Ma’afu (Leicester Tigers, UK), Eroni Mawi (Fijian Drua), Peni Ravai (Bordeaux Bègles, FR), Manasa Saulo (London Irish, UK), Kali Tawake (Biarritz, FR), Mesulame Dolokoto (Fijian Drua), Sam Matavesi (Cornish Pirates, UK), Veremalua Vugakoto (Fijian Drua), Tevita Cavubati (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92, FR), Api Ratuniyarawa (Northampton Saints, UK), Albert Tuisue (London Irish, UK), Semi Kunatani (Harlequins, UK),  Viliame Mata (Edinburgh, UK), Nemani Nagusa (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Mosese Voka (Fijian Drua), Dominiko Waqaniburotu (Brive, FR), Peceli Yato (Clermont Auvergne, FR)

Backs: Frank Lomani (Fjian Drua), Nikola Matawalu (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Henry Seniloli (Doncaster Knights, UK), Alivereti Veitokani (London Irish, UK), Ben Volavola (Racing 92, FR), Semi Radradra (Bordeaux Bègles, FR), Eroni Vasiteri (Provence, FR), Jale Vatubua (Pau, FR), Vereneki Goneva (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Metuisela Talebula (Bayonne, FR), Josua Tuisova (Toulon, FR), Kini Murimurivalu (La Rochelle, FR), Setareki Tuicuvu (Clermont Auvergne, FR)

 

PREDICTED MATCH-DAY 23

1 Campese Ma’afu, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Manasa Saulo, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (capt.), 7 Peceli Yato, 8 Viliame Mata, 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Ben Volavola, 11 Vereneki Goneva, 12 Jale Vatubua, 13 Semi Radradra, 14 Josua Tuisova, 15 Kini Murimurivalu

Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Kali Tawake, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Semi Kunatani, 21 Henry Seniloli, 22 Alivereti Veitokani, 23 Metuisela Talebula

 

Key Back: Semi Radradra
Key Forward: Peceli Yato
Talisman: Leone Nakarawa

 

RWC 2019 PREDICTION

Fiji finished fourth in their pool in RWC 2019 meaning participation in RWC 2019 required Fiji to win a spot via the qualifying series. The Flying Fijians proved to be the best in the Tri-Series against Samoa, and Tonga as they won all four of their matches to qualify as Oceania 1.

In the years between RWC 2015 and 2019 Fiji have progressed notably. The McKee regime have recorded wins over Canada, France, Georgia, Italy, Japan, Samoa, Scotland, Tonga, and Uruguay. This has seen Fiji shooting up to 9th in the World Rankings.

Fiji should defeat Georgia and Uruguay in RWC 2019 but are likely to lose against Australia and Wales. Despite those odds Fiji has the potential to upset both sides. With two wins and two losses Fiji would likely be the third placed team in the pool. This would see them finishing one place above their seeding with Georgia being third based on pre-qualifying.

 

Week 1 – Italy
Week 2 – Fiji
Week 3 – Japan