Fiji have threats, but we
WALES can qualify for the quarterfinals with a win at Oita Stadium tomorow and will then need to beat Uruguay to ensure they finish on top of the group.
For the Fiji game, Warren Gatland made two changes to the team that beat Australia, with James Davies coming in for Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty starting in place of Aaron Wainwright. here’s what he had to say at his press conference.
Q: Warren, can you please just talk us through the two changes you’ve made to the starting side? Warren Gatland: We’re trying to think about the bigger picture in terms of later on in the tournament.
A couple of players get an opportunity. Ross is hungry and James at 7. We’ve been really happy with Justin Tipuric’s form but it’s an opportunity to look at someone else, just in case, for any reason, he (Tipuric) does pick up an injury.
It will show us whether James can fit into that spot or someone like Josh Navidi, we know he can play seven. wThey’re two guys that are very hungry for an opportunity.
Rhys Carre comes onto the bench as well so we’re just keeping everyone on their toes a little bit.
I said to James ‘Well done’ and he replied ‘You’ve finally seen the light have you!?’
But then he said ‘I’m only joking’. I loved that. I thought it was brilliant. It’s a great response.
I love a bit of banter like that and I have no problem with comments like that. It just says to me that players believe in their own ability. They want to be in the squad and they think they’re good enough to be in the starting side.
Q: Was it difficult to rest Justin Tipuric?
WG: Justin was disappointed, but he will probably start the game against Uruguay and bring some experience to that side. He was tight in his quad before Australia.
He was 100 per cent fit for that game and he was 100 per cent available for this game as well.
We are trying to look at that bigger picture, hopefully moving forward in this tournament. Q: How big a boost is it that Dan Biggar has come through?
WG: It’s good. Having that experience is pretty important for us as well.
It’s been a big boost for us. He was fine the next day and he’s gone through all his protocols.
It was good that we had that extended break before this game. He had a bit more time.
From Friday, that was our normal Monday and our normal Test preparations began in terms of that full week cycle.
We’re a bit mixed up with the days at the moment. This is actually Thursday for us. I can’t even remember what day it is. We’re just trying to get things right in terms of having a full Test week of preparation.
Q: What have you made of Fiji? WG: They’ve got some quality individuals.
Georgia looked good in the first half and I thought Fiji’s try was against the run of play.
They’re a typical island side. When they get some confidence and belief, they’re incredibly dangerous.
They were really strong in that second half and scored three tries in the last 12 minutes.
They’ve got some real threats and we just have to make sure we focus on ourselves.
Our starts have been exceptional and it’s important we start well and take a bit of that excitement away from Fiji. They’ve had that six-day turnaround that we had before Australia.
Q: Have you looked at who you might get in the knockout stages? WG: We are just concentrating on these next two games. We are in control of our own destiny, we know that, and there is a lot of benefits about winning the group in terms of turnaround time and choices of hotels and stuff.
Psychologically, you win the group and win your four games, you are up against a team that has lost a game. We haven’t spoken at all about potential quarter-final opponents. I think they players are well aware of the possibilities.
It is important we focus 100 per cent on Fiji, and then we have got a four-day turnaround to Uruguay, which is going to be challenging as well, and then get through that, and then we can start thinking about what’s further on down the line.
Q: There is the potential for some adverse weather to hit later this week which might affect the Uruguay game, have you thought about that?
WG: There is nothing you can do about that. I don’t want to waste any negative energy on something that I can’t change. We’ve had some updates in the past from World Rugby about potential weather stuff, and we will deal with that when it comes.
Q: Gareth Davies seems to enjoy playing at World Cups, what have you made of him so far?
WG: I think he is showing experience and maturity. We know that we have always had some slight criticism in the past on his conditioning.
He came into this World Cup camp having done a lot of work and was in great physical shape. All three nines are in good shape and they have tested and pushed themselves right to the limit.
I said to Gareth before the Australia game ‘I think you will score a try today’.
He has a great record of scoring tries and I have seen him grow with confidence. His voice and decisionmaking have been good.
There are still aspects of his game he is working hard on in terms of his box kicking and stuff. We give him a free licence defensively and he is outstanding in timing and coming off the line and putting those players under pressure from a third defender role.
Q: Do you still think you’re going slightly under the radar?
WG: I haven’t taken much notice of other pools. Obviously, we’ve watched a few of the games but we’ve just been focused on ourselves.
We know there are improvements in our game. But a lot of other teams will probably feel like they haven’t put performances together.
There will definitely be a step up when the quarter-finals come around.
There is probably a little bit of jockeying going on at the moment.
We’re nicely placed. We’ve been very lucky with the hospitality that we’ve had here in Japan. The hotels have been brilliant and the people have been so welcoming. That’s been nice from a cultural point of view. It’s been different. The boys are working hard and we’re still pushing them hard.
Q: There’s always a lot of talk about the way Fiji play, is there a worry you can concentrate too much on them and not yourselves? WG: We’ve obviously looked at them. They have threats at the breakdown and they’ve had a lot of turnovers there, so the contact area is going to be very important for us.
We have to make it uncomfortable for Fiji. That’s the focus for us – having a balance between putting their forwards in certain positions, making them work hard and taking their legs away from them and then also recognising the ability we have when we need to play.” SOUTH Africa can all-but guarantee their place in the quarter-finals today with victory over Canada in Kobe (1115BST).
The Springboks lost their opening game to New Zealand, but will progress to the knockout stages with a bonus-point win, barring Italy causing a major upset by beating the All Blacks in their final match.
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has made 13 changes to the side which started in Friday’s 49-3 win against Italy.
Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi and centre Damian De Allende are the only two players retained, with full-back Damian Willemse set to start just five days after arriving in Japan as an injury replacement for Jesse Kriel.