Fiji have got the X-factor, says Ken

KEN Owens believes Wales’ next World Cup opponents Fiji possess “a lot of X-factor.”

Victory for Wales in Oita next Wednesday would secure a quarter-final place with one game to spare.

They then complete Pool D by tackling Uruguay, before a potential quarter-final appointment with France or Argentina. Fiji, though, are dangerous opponents, as a try-laden demolition of Georgia on Thursday proved.

Wales also have a painful World Cup memory of the Fijians, losing to them in 2007 and exiting the tournament as a result.

They avenged that result during the 2011 and 2015 pool stages, but Fiji have an ability to test any team.

“We are pretty happy, but we just need to keep that momentum going,” Wales hooker Owens said, following victories over Australia and Georgia.

“It is great being two (wins) from two, but it doesn’t mean much if we are two from four by the end of the pool.

“We have got to go on and get a result on Wednesday against Fiji, then against Uruguay. There are two massive games to finish this pool, and we are just looking forward to that.”

Fiji’s renowned handling and running skills were brilliantly showcased in the 45-10 rout of Georgia, never more so than when Leone Nakarawa and Semi Radradra created their final try for Api Ratuniyarawa.

“They (Fiji) were very impressive,” said Owens. “I thought Georgia did very well the first 30-40 minutes and held them out.

“But Fiji have got quality players, a lot of X-factor, and the biggest message for us is stopping that threat and not getting drawn into playing the Fiji way. I think there was a statistic at some point where Georgia had off-loaded double the amount of times Fiji had, so we will have to be smart in the way we play.

“Our gameplan is going to be about stopping their X-factor players on the gain-line and stop them off-loading.”

Dan Biggar, meanwhile, is back in training after he failed a head injury assessment during the Australia encounter.

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