Vodafone Fijiana head coach Ioan Cunningham believes his inside knowledge will help as he prepares to face his former side Wales, but says his players must focus on their own strengths.
Cunningham’s three-year spell in charge of Wales ended in November 2024, and he took up the Fiji role three months later.
Neither team can progress from Pool B after suffering back-to-back defeats in their opening matches, but Cunningham is confident his new side can finish on a high note and hand Wales a third consecutive loss.
He says it is about focusing on their own strengths and how they want to impose themselves on the game on Saturday.
Cunningham admits it will be a tough challenge but says the team is looking forward to it.
His tenure with Wales ended in turbulent fashion, with poor results on the field, compounded by the governing body’s admission of “serious failings” in negotiating new player contracts.
He says the team always looks to play hard but fair, and within the laws of the game, noting they only conceded eight penalties against Canada and nine against Scotland, which shows their discipline has been strong.
Cunningham adds that the focus will be on creating opportunities to put their players into space with ball in hand.
Fijiana will face Wales this Saturday at 2.45am.
