No Joshing, Fiji pals have ex-factor
Former Warriors Niko and Naka can pose big threat to Scotland
JOSH STRAUSS has put Scotland on high alert over the Glasgow Warriors connection that has Fiji flying.
Niko Matawalu and Leone Nakarawa both enjoyed successful spells at Scotstoun under Gregor Townsend.
Now both players will be aiming ot pull off a shock win after Scotland’s surprise triumph over Australia when they face the South Sea islanders on Saturday.
Strauss has nothing but praise for his former teammates who he knows will be desperate to put one over old friends.
He said: “They both say the team members are their brothers. I think the two of them actually mean it,” reflected Josh Strauss, the No.8 who is about to make his own journey away from Glasgow to Sale i n Manchester.
“They loved Glasgow and were cut up when they had to leave. Both come to watch our games, Niko because he is closer drives up to watch them and goes out with boys after games.”
Nakarawa, who is at Racing 92 in Paris is possibly even more at home in his adopted city – there have been rumours over the last few months that he is finding life hard in France and would love a deal to go back to the north of Glasgow.
Matawalu was playing local rugby in Fiji before he played against Scotland five years ago and impressed so much that he was offered a deal by Warriors.
Nakarawa was in the Fijian army and playing a bit of Sevens when he was spotted. In both cases, it was Glasgow that made them international sportsmen.
It was their own talent, though, that allowed them to take advantage of the chance, their uniquely Fijian skillset and a more structured, disciplined, European style of play at Glasgow proved a devastating combination.
“I just hope they are not on form,” Strauss jokes ahead of Saturday’s meeting. “Anyone who has seen Nakarawa play asks me, ‘did you play with Nakarawa’. He is amazing.”
STRAUS is relishing the chance of taking on a side with a reputation for free-flowing rugby as the tourists aim to enhance their reputation after putting AustraIia to the sword.
He added: “Growing up as someone who loves rugby I always loved watching them play. They play exciting rugby and have big hitters in their team,” Strauss acknowledged.
“You hope they don’t hit you too hard – we have to make sure we get the defensive side of our game right.
“It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me this weekend, playing against a full Fijian team. They have players all over the world, in Britain and Europe.”
It is 19 years since Scotland’s one and only defeat to Fiji – a badly planned and mis-timed trip back in 1998 – but Strauss is sounding a note of caution.
“With a team like Fiji, if they turn up on the day, they can give anybody a game,” said Strauss.