11 January, 2026, 8:16 pm Central - 23°C Rain

Vunipola says Fiji will be a threat at the breakdowns, takes on the mantle of being public enemy number 1

Vunipola says Fiji will be a threat at the breakdowns, takes on the mantle of being public enemy number 1

By Mosese Raqio
11/10/2023
Photo: Euro Sports

England number 8 Billy Vunipola has revealed that they will be looking to guard their breakdowns well against the Fiji Water Flying Fijians when they meet in their 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter final match next week.

Vunipola says they are aware of Fiji’s strength at the breakdowns and if they are a little bit off in that area then Fiji will take advantage of it.

He says Fiji is one of the biggest threats around the breakdown in world rugby.

Vunipola also mentioned that he would not say Fiji is the people's second-favourite team right now but he would say England is their first least-favourite team.

He adds in terms of being public enemy number one, they are happy to take that mantle on.

Meanwhile, winger Tom Curry who is returning from his match suspension says they are a different team now from when Fiji beat them before the World Cup.

He says this team is more than capable of overcoming any negativity around the squad.

England will be out to take revenge against the Flying Fijians when they meet next Monday after they were beaten 30-22 in Twickenham in their last World Cup warm-up match in August.

England will play Fiji at 3am Monday in Marseille.

In other RWC quarter finals, Wales will play Argentina at 3am Sunday, Ireland will take on the All Blacks at 7am on Sunday and hosts France will play South Africa at 7am next Monday.

Source: The Guardian

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
IWA seeks answers on delayed report into CWM Ante-Natal clinic leak
International Women’s Association Fiji President, Judy Compain, is calling on the Ministry of Health on how long it will take for them to investig...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
From prison walls to graduating at FNU : Aisea Toribau to appear on fijivillage Straight Talk
From the walls of prison to graduating at the Fiji National University - Aisea Toribau will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan at ...
2 hours ago

Flood waters affect bus services to Qauia
Due to heavy rainfall, the Qauia Bridge is currently flooded, and for safety reasons, the Qauia Bus Service will not enter Qauia Village until the ...
2 hours ago

Dozens arrested and one police officer injured in Minneapolis protests
At least 29 people have been arrested in Minneapolis during protests over the death of a woman who was shot by a US Immigration and Customs ...
3 hours ago

EFL Customer Care Centre in Namoli House temporarily closed
The Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) Customer Care Centre in Namoli House, Lautoka will be temporarily closed until further notice due to a recent fire ...
3 hours ago

Lautoka Town Council acts on illegal dumping in Wairabetia and Saweni Top
Following successful enforcement action against illegal dumping along Savu Street in Lautoka, Litter Prevention Officers have once again identified ...
3 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
9 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
20 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
20 days ago

TOP