RWC Preview: Fiji

A short look at Fiji's preparation, build up and squad for the tournament, as they head into a pool of death with three of the world's top 6 sides.

Unlike many others such as Samoa or the North Americans who have played their whole squads this year. Or Romania or Georgia who played pre season type matches against clubs with nearly 60 players taking part from either side.

Coach John McKee has fielded his
much of his strongest XV throughout
the course of the year so far.

Fiji have played exclusively test match type matches. And been at full strength, or at least very near it, through all of their 6 matches prior to this World Cup.

There may be downsides to this. As a result some of the fringe members of the squad have not played that much at all.

Reserve prop Lee-Roy Atalifo for example has only had 9 minutes on the field over those 6 matches. Isei Colati, Vili Veikoso, Netani Talei are all others who have not played a great deal either.

The positive is though, they carry far better momentum going into the tournament than some others who have treated the warm ups more towards testing and trialling players or combinations, or training sessions.

GIF: Fiji punished loose Canadian kicking with some crowd pleasing counter attacking,

a dominant win that has led them into the World Cup on a confident, positive note.

Fiji won the PNC as was expected, although Tonga gave them a very hard battle in Suva and could have won that match, and Samoa despite missing several big name players made a late comeback for a draw in Sacramento, and gave them a hard game in Burnaby as well.

Those wasn't a comprehensive sweep of the PNC as some have suggested, but they are winning, and that has built momentum and seems to have brought a positive vibe around their camp and their most recent match against a woeful Canada was a wipeout.

Despite that positivity there have been some concerns over the pre World Cup matches. Notably the way several leads have disappeared late on in matches.

26-10 at half time against the Maori All Blacks became a 26-27 loss at full time. A 27-10 lead at 50 minutes against Samoa became a 30-30 draw at full time. A 24-9 half time lead against Japan, ended with Fiji hanging on desperately in the end, having scored just 3 points in the second half and were lucky to win that game.

Coach John McKee says they are looking to improve their activity during the half time break, but the drop off has usually been linked in each match to have regressed in the set piece, particularly lineout.

At scrum tighthead prop Manasa Saulo, has done a great job in solidifying the scrum over the last few games. Including against major opposition France and Wales in November, and had the upper hand against Tonga, Samoa and Canada. Japan was the only really bad match the scrum has had over the past 12 months.

Video: The Fiji scrum has been improved since last November, especially relative to

how poor it was in 2013 to June 2014. Japan was the sole poor match it has, but it has

been solid, and even put some pressure on Wales, Tonga, Samoa and Canada at times.

But tighthead Manasa Saulo has regularly played 70-80 minutes of matches, and much

will depend on how he lasts throughout the tournament against stronger opponents.

Saulo won't be talked about much in the press compared to the big names in the team, or get much credit, but he is just as important. Problem is though they have been flogging him for 70-80 minutes virtually every single game.

The Japan match was the only one where Saulo has been taken off at around 50 minutes this year, in all the other 4 internationals combined this year he has only not been on the field for 12 minutes. Playing 80 minutes twice, and 71 and 77 in the other two.

That is unusual for a tighthead prop, a position where a replacement comes nearly always comes on at 50 or 60, but Saulo has been soldiering on starting every match and playing nearly the entirety of it whilst opponents bring on fresh props.

Considering Fiji play two heavyweights England and Australia with just 3 days rest. McKee surely cannot keep playing his primary tighthead like that, when the recent improved scrum platform has helped the side.

20 of the first 23 points against Canada stemmed from a strong solid scrum, in the past it has usually been nearly all the points off turnover or counter attack ball.

The scrum has certainly improved, although whether they can keep that up against England, especially when referees will be heading into games like that with Fiji's reputation in mind, and the latter has powerful replacements to bring on whilst Fiji keep playing their tighthead 70+ minutes remains to be seen.

The lineout though hasn't been as good. Samoa had some success disrupting it in the PNC, and Maori All Blacks dismantled it completely in the second half and launched their comeback through that.

In addition to that, the maul defence is also one of the weakest around. The Wales match last November saw Campese Ma'afu double yellow carded for two offences in this area.

Over the PNC they continued to struggle defending mauls, conceding 4 penalties and a sin bin to Leone Nakarawa against Japan, whilst Samoa also gained 2 penalties through this in Sacramento, and used it as a base to gain ground and put defence on the backfoot before launching runners from it.

The sheer speed of which the Japanese maul progressed against them was alarming from a Fijian point of view, and the likes of England and Australia will be targeting this.

GIF: Japan's maul progressed at a rapid pace against the Fijians and gained 4

penalties during the match. On the occasion illustrated, Nakarawa was sin

binned, but they were extremely lucky not to concede a penalty try as this

was the second offence in a row.

Frans Ludeke of the Bulls has been
brought in to try and bolster the
set piece, particularly lineout, where
Fiji have been unable to counteract
a good rolling maul recently.

Set piece will be key in how their results fare in this tournament, which is why Frans Ludeke of the Bulls has been drafted in to help out.

But as per usual, what stands out within the squad is the amount of quality strike runners and counter attackers. From turnovers they can score out of nothing from anywhere on the field.

Such as Levani Botia punctuating an otherwise poor first half performance against Tonga by creating a memorable try off a kick that missed touch.

The backline is littered with stars, including Nemani Nadolo, rejected by Waratahs, had short lived unhappy spells at Bourgoin and Exeter, has turned his career round since moving to Japan and the Crusaders and received a lot of attention from media.

Fiji should beat Uruguay, and could achieve more if not so unlucky to be drawn in such a strong pool. Any win over one of the big three would make the tournament a success.

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Fixtures:
18/09 -  England | Twickenham | Ref: Jaco Peyper
23/09 -  Australia | Cardiff | Ref: Chris Pollock
01/10 -  Wales | Cardiff | Ref: John Lacey
06/10 -  Uruguay | Milton Keynes | Ref: JP Doyle

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Squad:
Loosehead Prop: Campese Ma'afu (Provence) has had big issues at scrum in past, but now re-established himself as first choice loosehead. Peni Ravai (Nadroga) is a rare prop with a 7's background backs him up.

Jerry Yanuyanutawa (Glasgow) is still out of favour after being dropped after how bad the scrum was in June 2014.

Hooker: Sunia Koto (Narbonne) now aged 35 will be first choice for a third tournament. Talemaitoga Tuapati (Provence) offers decent impact in the loose, but none of the hookers have convinced at lineout. Vili Veikoso (Doncaster) is the third choice.

Tighthead Prop: Manasa Saulo (Timisoara Saracens) has started every match since 2014 and a clear first choice. Isei Colati (Nevers) will be the back up, whilst Lee-Roy Atalifo (Suva) is the third choice carrying very little experience.

Taniela Koroi (Mogliano) who played regularly for Wellington last year misses out.

Lock: Leone Nakarawa (Glasgow) is well known now for his athleticism and long arms, carrying the ball in one hand looking for offloads, and comes into this tournament in superb form. Partnering him will likely either be Api Ratuniyarawa (Agen), or Tevita Cavubati (Worcester). Nemia Soqeta (Biarritz) is the other option in the squad.

Wame Lewaravu (Colomiers) misses out after some injury issues, and the massive Jone Qovu (La Rochelle) has never been selected again since pulling out 'injured' in 2012, only to play for Racing a week later.

Back Row: Akapusi Qera (Montpellier) another player from the 2007 group, bring big experience and will lead the side from openside. Malakai Ravulo (Steaua Bucuresti) will be the back up openside. At blindside it is a competition between the experienced Dominiko Waqaniburotu (Brive) and the youngster Peceli Yato (Clermont). Number 8 will be Masi Matadigo (Lyon) with the injury prone Netani Talei (Harlequins) as back up.

Nathan Hughes (Wasps) turned down the call from Fiji, preferring to wait and become eligible for England. Sisa Koyamaibole (Brive) has been out of the side since 2013 and appears to be viewed as to old.

Scrum Half: Nikola Matawalu (Bath) is well known to European followers as an electric running scrum half, although at times can be too adventurous. Nemia Kenatale (Farul Constanta) and the slightly built Henry Seniloli who has battled injury to get here offer more orthodox alternatives.

Fly Half: Ben Volavola (Crusaders) committed to playing for Fiji this year and is the only primary fly half they have, with Josh Matavesi (Ospreys) more of a specialist 12 just playing fly half.

Centre: Niki Goneva (Leicester) has had some doubts over his defence in the 13 channel, and more of a wing really, but is undoubted as an attacking talent. Gabiriele Lovobalavu (Bayonne) has made a good return the side after years of serious injury, and Levani Botia (La Rochelle) who brings a lot of power will compete for the inside centre spot.

Albert VuliVuli (Clermont) was in the wider training squad, but perhaps wasn't likely to make it anyway so took up a deal with Clermont.

Wing: Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders) has done very well in Super Rugby and is a marked dangerman for opponents. Waisea Nayacalevu (Stade Français) has also been dangerous in the Top 14, and all of the wing options including Asaeli Tikoirotuma (London Irish) can all cover centre.

Many big names missed out here with incredible depth of wing talent, among them are Benito Masilevu (Brive) who failed to do enough against the Maori All Blacks, Timoci Nagusa (Montpellier) who's had injury issues and not regained his place, and Sireli Bobo (Toulon) bid to make a World Cup aged 39 failed. Napolioni Nalaga (Lyon) is also out of favour, after a so so last season with Clermont, and some minor injury niggles. Taqele Naiyaravoro (Glasgow) flirted with playing for Fiji, but committed to Australia instead.

Full Back: Metuisela Talebula (Bordeaux-Bègles) is more of a winger these days, but started his career more at full back where he plays for Fiji. Kini Murimurivalu (La Rochelle) has returned to the squad after 4 years this season, and is the more primary full back option.