IT'S the 'Flying Fijians' in France yet again for Wales ... and we all know what happened the last time! Whether today's game is even bigger than the one in which I played in 2007 is debatable. That was win or bust for us in Nantes, and we went bust! Our 38-34 defeat cost us a place in the knock-out phase and lost head coach Gareth Jenkins his job. This time around, it is the first pool fixture, so there is time to recover.
There is no doubt the tension has been mounting in Wales with every game Fiji has played. They've had five games since Simon Raiwalui took charge in February and lost only one. That was to a French side in Paris and they scared them to death. They've beaten Tonga, Samoa, Japan and England and now have Wales well and truly in their sights. They have even climbed higher than Wales in the world rankings!
Why wouldn't you be wary of a team that boasts Semi Radradra and Waisea Nayacalevu at centre, Selesitino Ravutaumada on the wing and Albert Tuisue. Then, of course, they've got the explosive qualities of Levani Botia and Josua Tuisova to come off the bench.
But turn it around the other way. Wales have an all-British & Irish Lions back three of Liam Williams, Josh Adams and Louis Rees-Zammit. George is a 40-plus try international centre playing at his fourth World Cup and Dan Biggar has more than 100 caps of experience in the bank.
This story is from the September 10, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
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This story is from the September 10, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
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