SCRUM’S THE WORD

FIJI are ready for Wales next Wednesday after smashing Georgia in a seven-try rout. Semi Radradra was in sensational form, scoring twice and setting up three others as the Fijians ran in six tries in the second half. They struggled before the break and were just 7-3 up through Waisea Nayacalevu’s try. But Frank Lomani, Josua Tuisova, Semi Kunatani and Api Ratuniyarawa all crossed to add to Radradra’s double. After his team had bowed to the crowd and sung a hymn on the field following their 45-10 win, Fiji coach John McKee fired a warning to the Welsh, whom the Fijians beat at the 2007 World Cup to make the quarter-finals. ‘We believe we can have a shot at them,’ he said. ‘It will be a very different game to this but, if we take our chances, it’ll be game on. ‘Wales are a dangerous team. They are coming out of a strong Six Nations, are good in attack and defence, and I think they are showing a bit more in attack at this World Cup. But we are a good team as well.’ Georgia scored only through a Soso Matiashvili penalty and a converted Mamuka Gorgodze try.

THE World Cup has gone interstellar, with the help of Sergio Parisse. The legendary Italian No 8 has exchanged messages with astronaut Luca Parmitano ahead of the

Azzurri’s match against South Africa — which will be his 142nd Test cap to make him the second-most capped player of all-time behind New Zealand’s Richie McCaw (148). And as Parmitano (pictured) is a big Italy fan, tournament organisers have arranged for the match to be beamed up to the International Space Station — making it the first World Cup match to be broadcast in space. For Parmitano’s sake, let’s hope Italy’s inevitable demise does not bring him back down to earth with a bang.

WHAT were you doing in the year 2000? Australia winger Jordan Petaia was born that year — and will now make his debut at the World Cup on Saturday against Uruguay as the first player born this century to feature in the tournament. There were four of the nine World Cups before he entered the earth!