RWC Pool D Preview – Fiji vs Wales

The Pool D fixture between Fiji and Wales is certain to have some spectacular rugby. Their match at RWC 2015 was excellent while the game at RWC 2007 was even better. Both were close matches with one win going to either team.

Following on from their impressive performance against Georgia the Flying Fijians are now looking to close out their pool matches with a second win of the campaign.

Head Coach John McKee has retained 14 players with N8 Viliame Mata replacing Peceli Yato in the only alteration. This sees Yato dropping to the bench. He is to be a potentially decisive injection for Fiji in the second half.

Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland has made two changes to his line-up. The changes see Ross Moriarty and James Davies taking over from Aaron Wainwright and Justin Tipuric in the back-row. This means a reconfiguration as Josh Navidi moves from N8 to flanker.

There have been eleven prior test matches between Fiji and Wales. The first took place in Cardiff in 1985 with Wales winning 40-3. Wales have nine wins compared to one for Fiji and a draw. Fiji’s win was one of the all-time great RWC matches. Played in Nantes, France the Flying Fijians were 38-34 winners.

Wales are ridding high. With two wins from their prior RWC matches they are on track to win the pool. Fiji are coming off an unlucky defeat against Australia; a humbling loss against Uruguay; and a dominant win over Georgia. This game, though is Wales’ third and Fiji’s final pool match. The conditions are in place for an upset and ARN is predicting a Fijian win by 3 points.

 

TEAMS

WALES
1 Wyn Jones, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (capt.), 6 Josh Navidi, 7 James Davies, 8 Ross Moriarty, 9 Gareth Davies, 10 Dan Biggar, 11 Josh Adams, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 13 Jonathan Davies, 14 George North, 15 Liam Williams

Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rhys Carré, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Aaron Shingler, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Owen Watkin

FIJI
1 Campese Ma’afu, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Manasa Saulo, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (capt.), 7 Semi Kunatani, 8 Viliame Mata, 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Ben Volavola, 11 Semi Radradra, 12 Levani Botia, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 14 Josua Tuisova, 15 Kini Murimurivalu

Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Peceli Yato, 21 Niko Matawalu, 22 Jale Vatubua, 23 Josh Matavesi

Date: Wednesday, October 9
Kick-Off: 18:45 local (02:45 Pacific, 05:45 Eastern, 06:45 Rio de la Plata)
Venue: Oita Stadium, Oita
Referee: Jerome Garces (France)
Assistants: Romain Poite (France) & Karl Dickson (England)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Broadcasts: ESPN 3 (Latin/South America), NBCSN (USA), TSN 1/4 (Canada)