WE’RE HERE TO RATTLE YOUR CAGE
Fiji vow to dazzle England in opener
FoR a man with modest resources, Radrodro tabualevu has grand ambitions. the chief executive of the Fijian Rugby Union believes the tiny Pacific nation can replicate their Sevens success in the 15- man game, starting by sending shockwaves through this World cup.
From the cramped confines of his office in a back street in Suva, the son of a coach who tamed the lions has a vision of Fiji earning a place among the elite of the global game despite limited finance and player-poaching by richer nations. they won the latest Sevens world series and will go to the olympics as prime contenders for gold but tabualevu wants more. ‘my wife says i’m too much of a dreamer but i’ve got a dream,’ he said. ‘We’ve been doing it in Sevens and i believe we can do it in 15s. it is important for the psyche of our nation that we have a team who represents our spirit to the world.’
the Fijians will aim to do just that on the biggest occasion of their careers tomorrow when they meet England in the World cup opener at twickenham. the are fabled for running amok from all parts and tabualevu is adamant that they are ready to trouble Stuart lancaster’s team and generate wild excitement in their distant islands.
‘We are coming to twickenham to win,’ he said. ‘We want to write down that that was the first upset of the 2015 World cup. England have got a very big monkey on their backs and we’re coming to rattle their cage.
‘Back in 1977 when the lions stopped off in Fiji, no one thought we could beat them, so it is not impossible,’ added tabualevu, whose dad inoke coached the islanders to a 25-21 win. ‘We are still the only nation who have toured New Zealand unbeaten.
‘Despite all the sophistication and science and commercial aspects, the game is still about quite a primitive instinct — you bash each other and see who comes out on top! come the day, people who don’t have tV access in their village will move to somewhere they can watch the game. it is going to be an exciting game for our country.’
there is a suspicion that England may resort to a tight, territorial game to stifle Fiji into submission, but tabualevu has challenged them to join their free-spirited opponents in laying on a spectacle for the watching world. ‘We all have a responsibility to grow the game, so we have to play this game to excite people,’ he said.
‘We’ve got to run, otherwise it will be just like a moving wrestling game. We’ve got to run and i’m sure England will want that, too. it is the opening game and the whole world will be watching us. We — Fiji and England — have got to razzle- dazzle the whole world! We have to put on a show.’
there is continuing concern in Pacific-island nations about poaching by rivals, notably France. tabualevu said: ‘it is a growing concern for us. in the last two or three years we have lost 150-200 players per year.’
Fiji’s Kiwi head coach John mcKee heaped pressure on England and cast doubt on their home advantage after naming his line-up for tomorrow. ‘When they are iconic stadiums i don’t think they are actually as great a home advantage as the lesser stadiums because visiting players are so motivated to play there,’ he said. ‘Will the twickenham factor work against England? i believe that is a factor.
‘maybe there is more pressure on England in the opening game than Fiji. could the fact England are expected to win ease the pressure on us? i think so.’