The Fiji Times

Flying Fijians prediction

- By ERONI TUINUKU

SEVENTY-year-old Apakuki Saisai lives to tell his story of how he predicted the win and Fiji’s lineup at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

This week he is back with his prediction for the Rugby World Cup and the tactics the Flying Fijians could use in Japan.

Saisai made his prediction­s two weeks before the Fiji 7s team to Rio was selected and was correct.

Tier One nations such as New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa are dubbed to win the RWC, but for Saisai, he placed his bet on England because of consistenc­y in Test performanc­es in the past few months.

“If the Fijian boys get through the knockout stages then there’s no team that can stop them from reaching the final because of the boost in morale that will motivate them,” Saisai said.

The former national rugby rep is the father of former national 7s rep Donasio Ratubuli.

“Prevent the rolling maul from happening then there’s a great chance of winning the final. We have one of the best backlines and when there’s an open play, we are the best and our defence has improved and we have that flair that no team has.

“If Fiji needs to conquer Wallabies or Wales, they need to create rucks or breakdowns on the far ends of the field making the forwards to run the width of the ground to make them tired.

“That is where we make our break.”

 ?? Picture: JONA KONATACI ?? Apakuki Saisai shows a photo of him and his family with the Webb Ellis Cup when it visited Fiji last year.
Picture: JONA KONATACI Apakuki Saisai shows a photo of him and his family with the Webb Ellis Cup when it visited Fiji last year.

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