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.
Denne historien er fra September 10, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 10, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.