Fiji need more than mean attitude for showpiece opener
John McKee accepts Fiji will require more than a mean attitude, athleticism and a deadly runner in Nemani Nadolo to sit England on their backsides in the Rugby World Cup opener in London on Saturday morning (NZT).
Making Fiji play host nation England at their Twickenham ‘‘HQ’’ for the RWC opener in front of almost 82,000 fans seems like a cruel joke, but McKee, a New Zealander who was appointed Fiji coach in February last year, and his boys aren’t laughing.
This is a hell of way for the tier-two nation to dive into the so-called ‘‘pool of death’’, that also contains Wales, Australia and Uruguay.
McKee knows that if Fiji are to break England, they must produce one of the most daring heists in World Cup history.
‘‘If you look at areas of advantage, the athleticism and the speed and strength of our players is a point of difference from most teams that we play against,’’ McKee said.
‘‘Yes, we have a mountain to climb in terms of the teams we need to overcome. But if we can bring our absolute best game we can challenge these teams.’’
Relying solely on giant left wing Nadolo, who has the potential to create a storm of excitement if he receives the ball in space, won’t empower the Pacific Islanders to summit their Everest.
‘‘We have got plenty of strengths on our backline,’’ McKee said. ‘‘It is not focused on any one player as our point of attack.’’
Nevertheless, Fiji will require some magic from players like Nadolo if they are to stun England.
Since arriving at their base in Weybridge, Surrey, the Fijians have worked on ways to undermine England’s powerful set pieces – they even rigged up a PA system to replicate the crowd noise they expect to encounter at Twickenham.
If Fiji try to grind their way over the England pack, they will only put themselves in a perilous situation; they know they must engage their opponents but the problem is winning fast ball – and enough of it to get their backline flowing over the gain line.
The Fijian starting team features just one change from the run-on side that beat Canada 47-18 in a warmup match in London earlier this month, with Waisea Nayacalevu replacing former Chiefs racehorse Asaeli Tikoirotuma on the right wing.
Ben Volavola, who will represent the Crusaders next season, is at first five-eighth.
Although McKee has named a side loaded with hardened professionals from the French, British and Australasian club competitions, he reiterated they must play exceptionally well to win.
The New Zealand TAB are offering just $1.02 for head-to-head bets on England. Fiji are at $12.
Fiji, ranked ninth on the World Rugby
Nemani Nadolo (Fiji)
It’s not a stretch to say the Crusaders Super Rugby star is one of the best players at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Nadolo is everything a back should be, quick, strong, savvy and skilful. Hovering around 125-130kg, he’s a handful regardless of the situation, but when he can step, chip, grubber or simply put the foot down on the gas peddle, the Fijian star is a defender’s worst nightmare. And just for good measure he’s a prodigious goal kicker who can play anywhere from second five eighth to wing.
Gael Fickou (France)
When former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga was coaching at Toulon, he used to rave to his friends about a young centre called Gael Fickou. Perhaps Umaga saw a bit of himself in a player who at 1.91m and 100kg moves like a panther.
Fickou made his test debut at 18 and at just 21-years-old may be ready to assert himself on the world stage. His skill set and athleticism has compared to the All Black offloading king Sonny Bill Williams. With players like Wesley Fofana, Mathieu Bastareaud and Maxime Mermoz France are blessed with midfielders, but Fickou could be the one to watch in 2015.
George Ford (England)
England continue to debate whether Ford or Owen Farrell is their best option at No 10, but only rankings (England are at No 4), have crafted a respectable record under McKee, who is assisted by Crusaders one player has the running game to ignite a backline that doesn’t lack for pace or ability, but needs a create mind in the No 10 jersey to realise its potential.
Ford has deceptive pace and good balance. Leave him a hole and he can slice through at an alarming rate. Scored 25 points against France in March and if England get going he could repeat similar feats during the World Cup.
Alafoti Fa’osiliva (Samoa)
A former sevens star, the big blindside flanker is coming of age in perfect time for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. At 29-years-old Fa’osiliva’s career has included stints with Toulon in France and defence coach Tabai Matson and former Bulls head coach Frans Ludeke.
Fiji won the recent Pacific Nations Cup, beating Japan and Tonga and drawing with Samoa. On last year’s northern tour, Nadolo scored all Fiji’s points as Wales narrowly squeezed home 17-13 in Cardiff.
Bowling a tier-one nation would remind World Rugby that the Pacific nations should be given more respect, but McKee said it wasn’t being used to generate excitement. ‘‘But, certainly, the fact that the players have made sacrifices to represent Fiji is a motivating factor. It helps them work harder and really want to achieve.’’ Bristol before he settled at Bath.
He’s been touted for big things since bursting onto the sevens stage as a teenager and he burst through the All Blacks defence to score an historic try at Apia Park in July.
Marcelo Bosch (Argentina)
Could be the Pumas midfield answer to Conrad Smith. At 31-years-old it would be easy to write Bosch off as being over the hill, but he’s far from it. At his best Bosch is a beautiful player to watch, balanced and quick, while he is also capable of kicking goals like few others. New Zealanders will recall a 55 metre curving penalty during the 2011 Cup.