Our Tight Five Face the Ulimate
It’s not often that you get the opportunity to play against the world’s best rugby forwards. The same could be said for our Flying Fijians tight five when they face the All Blacks at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand, on Saturday.
The Fijian tight five have proved themselves against some of the world’s best forward packs like the Maori All Blacks, France, Australia, Wales, British Barbarians and Georgia respectively.
We are two days away from facing a different beast at their backyard where they don’t like invaders conquering their territory.
One thing is for sure that our head coach Vern Cotter and his coaching staff have watched how the All
Blacks demolished Tonga 102-0 in Auckland, last Saturday, and have mapped out our game plan.
One particular area that Cotter and Co. will be working hard on is on our tight five- props, hooker and locks.
We have to be sharp and accurate in executing our set pieces but most importantly to play right to the final whistle.
This will be a big test for Haereiti Hetet, Peni Ravai, Sam Matavesi, Mesu Dolokoto, Eroni Mawi, Peniami Narisia, Leeroy Atalifo, Leone Nakarawa, Albert Tuisue, Tevita Ratuva, Peceli Yato, Temo Mayanavanua, Kitione Kamikamica, Peceli Yato and John Dyer.
These players need to work together as a unit.
That means they have to share their knowledge of the game as they are good ball runners but moreover they need to be physical in their one-on-one battle.
Should Cotter go for physicality upfront than the experience of Nakarawa, will be vital in the engine room as he will play a commanding role.
The Tavua-born Nakarawa will be the man to orchestrate proceedings from the front in managing and organising their game.
He will surely manage and organise the pack to play 80 minutes rugby.
Amongst the tight five is Bay of Plenty prop Hetet.
The Matuku, Lau man has played more rugby against those All
Blacks forwards in the Mitre 10 competition and knows what to expect.
His experience of playing with the Maori All Blacks should come valuable. He’ll surely come out firing if given the chance to start and at the same time provide a lot of competition up front.
Our tight five players have been playing some good rugby for their clubs in Europe, Australia and New Zealand but this is of another level for them.
Let’s hope that they bring their A game and maintain their focus throughout the match. They also need to execute their Fijian flair but most importantly to be smart and maintain their structure for the whole 80 minutes.