Wales v Fiji preview: Islanders to repeat 2007 World Cup heroics in thriller

The opening weekend of the 2023 Rugby World Cup concludes with a blockbuster fixture in Bordeaux as Wales and Fiji face off in a pivotal showdown in Pool C.

Incredibly, this is the fifth tournament running that these two teams have been drawn together in the same pool, and they have produced some thrillers in the past.

Many will remember the 2007 fixture in Nantes, which Fiji famously won, but that has been their only victory in 13 previous meetings, with Wales being dominant.

However, things have certainly changed of late and Fiji have developed significantly as a side, helped in no small part by Fijian Drua playing in Super Rugby. That has brought familiarity and improvements in their squad and players, and on the back of a stunning win over England at Twickenham, they are a major threat.

Warren Gatland and his Wales side will be fully aware of this, and despite his team going into the match as slight favourites, it really is a tough one to call.

Wales, despite being forced to deal with the retirements of legends such as Alun Wyn Jones, could themselves go deep in this competition, and the same can also be said of Fiji. However, the loss to injury of fly-half Caleb Muntz on the eve of the World Cup is a huge setback, and one wonders how much that may cost them.

It’s a fascinating pool with Australia, Georgia and Portugal’s future opponents, but this fixture just feels extra significant as the pair hunt an early advantage.

Where the game will be won

The physical battle cannot be underplayed on Sunday as it’s the gainline, contact and breakdown battles that will prove decisive in the Stade de Bordeaux clash.

Fiji have some of the most destructive players in the world in Bill Mata, Semi Radradra and Josua Tuisova, while Levani Botia is a turnover machine at ruck time. Therefore, Wales must be sharp and brutal in all areas or risk being punished, with the islanders having the talent to strike in an instant, as many have found.

Due to Fiji having shored up their set-piece and structure of late, Wales may eye more of an expansive game to bring in the likes of Louis Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams, with Dan Biggar likely to kick behind the defence in order to negate the breakdown threat and utilise his wings’ pace, but that comes with its own risks.

Last time they met

What they said

Wales head coach Gatland has been pleased with what he’s seen from his side ahead of this opening game, praising their clarity and sharpness ahead of kick-off.

“We’ve had some good clarity about what we want to achieve and the way we want to play on the weekend,” he said.

“The boys are looking sharp; there is a great environment in this group – players working for each other, enjoying each other’s company.

“We are in a good place and can’t wait to get out there and get our Rugby World Cup campaign underway.”

Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui gave this retort on whether his side are favourites to win their opening game after their impressive recent run of form and talent in their side.

“When could we ever be called favourites when we’re considered a developing country versus a developed country, resources and those sort of things,” he said. “We’re confident with our preparation, with our group. We never go in thinking we’re favourites to win; we’re humble.

“We go into this game obviously humble, we’ve worked hard throughout the eight-week (warm-up) campaign, and our focus has always been one week at time; what’s the next challenge, what have we got coming up this weekend.

“We’ve been working towards this point, so we’re totally focused on this game and nothing past this game. We understand Wales is a very good team, they’ve got a lot of experience so we understand the challenge and we’re looking forward to it.”

Players to watch

The return to fitness of Taulupe Faletau is timely, to say the least, for Wales, and his presence alongside the impressive Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright will be crucial as they look to limit Fiji’s back-row’s impact on the game. How deep Faletau can go into the game, however, is one concern for Welsh supporters.

Cool heads are going to be key for Wales, and Dan Biggar needs to steer the ship through the choppy waters as his side will face a barrage of physicality and pressure from their opponents. His kicking game to relieve said pressure, option taking, and goal-kicking must be top drawer if Wales are to avoid a defeat.

We’ve mentioned him already, but the impact that Levani Botia could have on this fixture could be seismic, such is his quality on both sides of the ball. Those who have watched La Rochelle in recent seasons will know what he brings, and now the world will enjoy his talents. Wales simply must stifle his presence.

Finally, for Fiji, the absence of the injured Muntz is a cruel blow as his management of their game was a major plus against England. That puts huge pressure on Teti Tela, who must direct his side in a similar manner to Muntz. Having a star-studded backline at his disposal should help the fly-half in that regard.

😎 Top drip from Semi Radradra. #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/SZsb8qN1pL

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) September 3, 2023

Main head-to-head

Fiji possesses one of the strongest midfield combinations in world rugby at the moment, and we zone in on inside centre, where it will be a tough ask for Nick Tompkins against Semi Radradra. One of the more underrated players at Test level, it’s pleasing to see Tompkins nail down the 12 jersey, and he must bring that spiky nature of his game to the fore if he’s to get the better of the great Radradra, who is a joy to watch alongside the superb Waisea Nayacalevu.

Staying in the backline, the wing battles also catch the eye as Louis Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams square up against Selestino Ravutaumada and Vinaya Habosi. The raw speed of Rees-Zammit could be crucial if Wales can get him in a foot race, but all four widemen are box office in their own right.

Prediction

It’s a tough one to call, and Wales won’t mind being written off as major tournament contenders, with this the perfect opportunity to silence their doubters. On paper, they still boast a strong side, but this is a special Fiji side, buoyed by that win at Twickenham. They might just sneak this one. Fiji to win by 3

Previous results

2021: Wales won 38-23 in Cardiff
2019: Wales won 29-17 in Oita
2015: Wales won 23-13 in Cardiff
2014: Wales won 17-13 in Cardiff
2011: Wales won 66-0 in Hamilton
2010: The sides drew 16-16 in Cardiff
2007: Fiji won 38-34 in Nantes
2005: Wales won 11-10 in Cardiff
2002: Wales won 58-14 in Cardiff

The teams

Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Jac Morgan (c), 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Rio Dyer

Fiji: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 12 Semi Radradra, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Teti Tela, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 6 Albert Tuisue, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Levani Botia, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Josua Tuisova, 23 Sireli Maqala

Date: Sunday, September 10
Venue: Stade de Bordeaux
Kick-off: 21:00 local (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes (RFU), Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

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