2011 Rugby World Cup Pool D Match Preview: Wales vs Fiji
Fiji and Wales will play their last pool match of the 2011 RWC on Sunday, October 2 at Waikato Stadium, Wellington.
Wales and Fiji have developed a professional rivalry that is similar to the All Blacks and Les Bleus and makes this match up one of the more anticipated games of the week.
Previously, Fiji defeated Wales to deny them a spot in the quarter-finals of the 2007 Rugby World Cup (RWC), just as France denied a semifinal place to the All Blacks during the previous global
tournament.
Wales are better placed then Fiji in the pool rankings. However, if Fiji can repeat their performance and deliver an upset like they delivered four year ago, Wales' 2011 RWC will come to an
end effectively. If Wales win the game, they qualify for the spot in the quarter-finals, starting at end of next week.
South Africa, following their impressive victory over Samoa, have already booked their place in the quarter-finals. Wales, Samoa and Fiji are placed at 2nd, 3rd and 4th
position with 10, 10 and 5 points respectively.
Fiji has made massive changes in their lineup, which took the field against Samoa. They have retained only five players from the team, which suffered the defeat by the hands of Samoa, earlier
in the tournament.
Their new captain will lead Fiji as they look forward to end their tournament on a high note. Their tournament captain, Deacon Manu, has been dropped by the match squad altogether and their
back row forwards players, Netani Talei, takes the captaincy charge.
Fiji’s newly appointed captain and number Eight Talei, has expressed his delight after being named as the captain of the team. He added, “It's always a privilege to be named as captain, There
are lots of senior players on the team, so it's a real honor.”
On the other hand, Wales has also listed their strongest possible squad for the match. In the process of doing so, they have made seven changes in the squad, as they will take the field on
Sunday, with an object to return the favour to Flying Fijians.
Wales head coach, Warren Gatland, has expressed his hope to end their pool campaign on a higher note to secure their position in the last eight. He said, “It has been a really positive campaign
for us so far and it is important that we go out there and give a good performance on Sunday to keep building on that. We've got to go out there with confidence that we are good enough in the type of rugby we are playing that we can win, and win reasonably
well.”
Gatland added that the players after the six days layoff are feeling fresh and will deliver their best performance in the match. He added that the rest has helped players who were recovering
from their subsequent injuries.
Both teams have announced their match day squad for their Sunday encounter. The teams are listed below:
Fiji
Starting XV: Iliesa Keresoni, Albert Vulivuli, Ravai Fatiaki, Gaby Lovobalavu, Michael Tagicakibau, Nicky Little, Vitori Buatava; Netani Talei (captain), Sakiusa Matadigo,
Rupeni Nasiga, Wame Lewaravu, Leone Nakarawa, Setefano Somoca, Sunia Koto, Waisea Nailago.
Replacements: Viliame Veikoso, Campese Ma'afu, Mala Ravulo, Akapusi Qera, Nemia Kenatale, Seremaia Bai, Vereniki Goneva.
Wales:
Starting XV: Lee Byrne, George North, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips; Toby Faletau, Sam Warburton (captain), Ryan Jones, Luke
Charteris, Bradley Davies, Adam Jones, Huw Bennett, Gethin Jenkins.
Reserves: Lloyd Burns, Paul James, Alun-Wyn Jones, Andy Powell, Lloyd Williams, Stephen Jones, Jonathan Davies.
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