It may be the most important game of Eddie Jones’s second tenure as Wallabies coach, but for 7 Wallabies, this contest with Fiji Water Flying Fijians has far greater significance than a potential date with Argentina or England in the next round.
Samu Kerevi who is starting at inside centre says it’s always going to be special as Fiji holds a special place in their heart, who, alongside Marika Koroibete, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Rob Valetini, Suliasi Vunivalu, Langi Gleeson and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, have Fijian links.
Kerevi, like Vunivalu and Koroibete, was born in Fiji but stressed there would be no mixed allegiances once the anthems start ringing out on Monday morning.
The centre says once they put on the jersey, they are Australians.
However, that sentiment might not be shared by the players’ families back home.
Back-rower Langi Gleeson says his relatives might be cheering for the opposition this weekend as his family backs Fiji, and he does not know who they are going to support.
Suliasi Vunivalu suggested those in gold with Fijian heritage will effectively be running around with targets on their back.
Vunivalu says he was actually speaking to Koroibete about their last World Cup and what they were saying, were they trying to aim at them Fijian on Fijian, and he was saying that they were mentioning stuff to Kerevi, like ‘belt him, belt him’ in Fijian.
Though the two countries rarely square up against each other – this is their first meeting since the last World Cup four years ago which ended in a 39-21 win for the Wallabies.
The Wallabies host the Flying Fijians at 3.45am on Monday in Lyon.
