Wales ready to tackle tough Fiji
OITA: Wales have withdrawn into their own bubble ahead of today’s must-win Rugby World Cup match against Fiji, saying they have done their homework on their dangerous opponents.
As a powerful typhoon charts course for Japan, Wales are in calm seas, claimed forwards coach Robin McBryde.
Wins over the unpredictable Fiji and minnows Uruguay would see the Six Nations champions qualify top of Pool D and set up a quarter-final with France or England.
“We’ve created a bubble again,” McBryde said yesterday as Wales shut out distractions on the eve of the match in Oita.
“Historically, we always get stronger the more time we spend with each other in that bubble. The environment we’re able to create allows individuals to improve their game.
“We’re aware of Fiji’s individual threats but we have had a collectiveness about our preparation.
“Hopefully that will be reflected in the performance.”
Number eight Ross Moriarty, promoted to the starting XV after featuring on the bench in the first two games, said they had undertaken close analysis of Fiji.
Wales suffered the consequences of taking Fiji lightly at the 2007 World Cup, losing their pool match which cost them a place in the quarter-finals.
But in Japan they have named nearenough their top line up after noting how Fiji ran Australia close in their first match.
After a shock loss to Uruguay with a short turnaround, Fiji returned to their explosive best against Georgia and Moriarty admitted it would be a “tough” encounter against the Pacific islanders.
“We’ve watched the Fiji games and done our analysis on what we have to do —defence, close them down, and we know what to do on attack to get points on the board.”
McBryde, who ends a lengthy tenure as Wales assistant coach to move to Leinster after the World Cup, said the 10-day break since the tense 29-25 win over Australia had given the team a chance to recharge.
Fiji coach John McKee said the hard and fast surface would suit his freerunning Pacific islanders “but they will have to play with a lot of patience” to break down Wales.
Should Fiji repeat their heroic effort of 12 years ago, McKee was in no doubt it would “bring the nation to a halt for two or three days” similar to the lengthy celebrations of the rugby-mad islanders when Fiji won the 2016 sevens Olympic gold medal.