The Fijians bring a bit of magic – as long as they don’t bring too much magic against us.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones highlighted this in a recent interview saying the rise of Pacific nations poses a “considerable threat” to tier 1 nations and that New Zealand stands to suffer more than most.
Jones says it’s not good for New Zealand because they’re losing their three biggest academies.
Jones says Fiji’s storming win over England last weekend, along with Samoa’s close loss to Ireland has seen both emerge as World Cup wildcards.
He says the Samoans are in England’s pool at the tournament and given a chance of tipping the 2003 winners out of the knockout stages.
Fiji will be aiming to break the expectations of Australia and Wales being the two teams to advance to the quarterfinals from pool C.
The Wallabies coach says you think back to Fiji in 2007, they had a spectacular World Cup and in the quarter-final against South Africa at one stage Fiji were ahead with 20 to go and playing unbelievable rugby.
Jones says because a lot of the Fijians play in France and there is a good Fijian population there they are going to play well, the Tongans are the same.
He says they need those countries that play a little bit different to be strong and be competitive and bring something different to the table.
Asked if there was concern Fiji could upset the Aussies in their second pool game, on September 18, Jones says there always has been and they’re not underestimating anyone.
Jones adds they will need to be at their best to beat them and that’s the great thing of the tournament.
It is exactly a week till the Rugby World Cup opening in France where they will host New Zealand in the first game at 7.15am next Saturday.
Fiji plays Wales at 7am the following Monday.
Source: theroar.com
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