History beckons Flying Fijians

AFTER missing the opportunity to go into history books last Monday, the FIJI Water Flying Fijians have the golden opportunity to write a piece of history by becoming the first Fijian 15s team to defeat the Wallabies in a RWC match.

Fiji has played the Wallabies on three occasions at a RWC tournament - 2007, 2015 and 2019, and we have lost all three matches. Apart from the 55-12 thrashing in 2007, the Flying Fijians went down to the Wallabies 28-13 and 39-21, respectively, in tough and fierce encounters.

Hence, beating them on Monday morning will be a mammoth task.

The Wallabies outplayed The Lelos (Georgia 35-15) in their RWC opener and the likes of Ben Donaldson, Will Skelton, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Rob Valetini, Taniela Tupou, Will Skelton and Tate McDermott, stood out with a sublime performance. We went into the Wales battle as favourites and it came to haunt us.

Monday’s battle will be a mountain climb for the Flying Fijians, but then in 80 minutes of fast paced and exciting rugby, an upset could be on its way. We must convert penalties into points just as the Europe-based teams are doing.

Defence must be steady. The Dragons made almost three times the number of tackles our boys made but then that’s the beauty of rugby. Attack results in tries, but defence wins games. This battle is the final for our boys. We must win the battle to stand a chance of qualifying for the quarters! It’s now or never for Fiji. A win, and history beckons the Flying Fijians! A loss, and we find our way out of the pool!

RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu