They have to defeat Australia in Saint-Etienne today to remain in contention for a place in the last eight and after all the social media chatter in the week about how officiating decisions went against the islanders against Wales, Fiji want to take the referee and his assistants out of the picture.
“If we sharpen up on our completion when we enter the 22 and score a couple of the tries we failed to against Wales, the referee does not become an issue,” said Fiji forwards coach Brad Harris.
“We have focused on tidying up our performance, making sure that we are disciplined when we do not have the ball, get our tackle height right and make good decisions at the offensive breakdown. If we paint the right pictures, we can apply pressure and come out on top.”
The referee is, ironically, Welsh. Andrew Brace was born in Cardiff, but moved to Ireland where he worked as a community officer for Munster. He is not known for having a high tolerance threshold, but what today needs is even-handedness.
“The nature of the game is that referees make their calls,” said Fiji’s defence coach, Daryl Gibson. “We cannot control that. What we can do is become more clinical every time we approach the tryline.
This story is from the September 17, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 17, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Cunningham-South gunning for Boks
CHANDLER Cunningham-South is aiming to be a big hit against the Springboks on Saturday after adding New Zealand to his highlights reel.
Baxter backing Slade to adapt to changes
EXETER are confident that the decision to change their defensive system will not jeopardise Henry Slade's place in the England side.
Dallaglio: It will take brains to beat Boks
LAWRENCE Dallaglio has warned England they need brains and not just brawn to beat world champions South Africa at Twickenham next weekend.
Leaking 42 points at home is 'unforgivable'
DEFLATED Jamie George declared his side were not up to scratch after they slumped to another dismal defeat at England headquarters.
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.