Three big games with three Tier One Nations in just 13 days has finally caught up with Fiji. It was a big ask for the South Sea Islanders to upset one of the big guns in the “Pool Of Death” but in all those three games, they gave their all only for just some basic errors, a lack of discipline and lack of execution letting them down at crucial stages. That gave victory to their much experienced opponents, so now Fiji are the first Pacific team to head home.
The 23-13 loss to Wales early Friday morning was the end of the road for the Fijians [they cannot progress out of Pool A now] and they now look forward to their final game against Uruguay to end their Rugby World Cup of 2015 on a high. With this result too, Fiji must go through another Oceania Qualifier round to make it through to the Japan tournament in 2019, due to their placing outside the top three.
As usual, the Fijians were the ‘darling of the crowds’ but this time we did not see their usual flamboyant, free flowing champagne rugby. Their ‘Achilles heel’ was in their place kicking, even though they held their own in their scrums and lineouts–who would have thought that the Flying Fijians would steal throws and win tightheads against a Six nations side! If Wales want to stay in this World Cup till the end, they have to rectify that issue quickly for themselves as they were shoved around by the Fijians.
The fast paced game on Friday was entertaining to watch, they had good periods of attack and every die-hard fan in Fiji is happy with the gallant effort that their Island Warriors showed against the Dragons. They lost obviously, but the way they have improved in the set pieces is still the talk of the Nation. Applauded by all, including Prime Minister Bainimarama, fans were ecstatic when Niki Goneva crashed his way over for the try that brought Fiji to close within four points of Wales with just 20 minutes to go.
Bainimarama’s support of the Fijian rugby team expressed the thoughts of all Fijians, in how proud the nation is of their courageous effort but it was the same old mistakes that cost us in our last two games. The inability to keep possession, the aimless kicking at crucial times and most of all the failure to turn territory into points. Critically, Ben Volavola missed three crucial penalties which underlined their Achilles heel – the need for a more proficient kicker in the side if Fiji want to be a well rounded team.
The Fijian backs were lost when their lateral attack was caught out by the line speed of the Welsh defence, so they resorted to aimless kicking. Missing Nemani Nadolo through suspension was only a part of our problem, but why didn’t they use Levani Botia more?
The Fijian boys played their hearts out till the end, especially with a sort of ‘Hand Of God’ moment in the Goneva try. He held onto the ball as the Welsh defence actually pushed him over the tryline. How he kept his hands under that ball is a miracle in which the television commentators screamed out “Take A Bow”.
Fiji had parity at times, but lost this match specifically on the outside and in silly little mistakes. From the unimpressive display of the Fijian backs in this World Cup, myself I would say is the same scenario that our Rugby Sevens Coach Ben Ryan went through in his first season at the helm. He had to work out a way in which to combine the structured aspects of the modern game to include the Fijian flair. When he did, the Fijian’s won their second World Sevens Series title in 2015.
Tabai Matson has done good work with the defencive patterns of this team, don’t get me wrong. If he can continue with Fiji rugby, they will become more clinical in their finishing and soon, they can match any Tier One Nation on any given day.
FIJIAN PLAYERS ASSESSMENT
Manasa Saulo again showed the world how far he has come, together with Sunia Koto and Campese Ma’afu, they drove the Welsh front rows backward at times and the Welsh forwards coach Robin McBryde will have a torrid session of soul searching with his tight five, before they take on the Wallabies.
The ‘turnover king’ of the tournament was Leone Nakarawa. He was at his usual best and may have found the perfect partner in crime, in Tevita Cavuibati who in his last two games stamped his mark in locking the scrum and in the lineout. Dom Waqaniburotu worked tirelessly also, with 50 times capped ‘Captain courageous’ Akapusi Qera one of the best on show. Number eight Netani Talei stood tall against the ‘Tongan Torpedo’ Taulupe Faletau and wrecking machine, ‘The WALBUR-TRON’ Sam Warburton.
Halfback Nemia Kenatale was a breath of fresh air. Volavola, apart from several missed penalties, is a future prospect and trying his best when it was clearly Botia’s role to play. When he was directing play, he had another excellent game. Botia could well have been the Man of the Match in many villages minds, but over the park guys like Goneva just made some poor decisions which cost us. Often, he was in the right place at the right time, but never had the execution to match it.
Asaeli Tikoirotuma had an outstanding game, his elusive run which lead to Fiji’s try was perfect; if you choose to forget the massive fend from George North. Timoci Naqusa had a great game which was expected of him. Metuisela Talebula is a true talent, if he could get rid of his aimless kicks and find a way to penetrate the defence more often, he would have been more deadly for the Fijian side.
The bench did their job well, with many wanting to see young Nemia Soqeta and Peceli Yato in the run-on team as a unit, because the potential is there. Maybe the World Cup is not the stage to experiment, but the outcome could have only been the same, so look out for changes in the short-term.
“That was one of the toughest Test matches I’ve ever played, and that is including sides like New Zealand, South Africa, England and France” said Sam Warburton. His men were challenged and did enough to win this match, after their impressive victory over England.
“Fiji threw everything at us, it was a tough game” said Wales coach Warren Gatland. His opposite John McKee was bitterly disappointed and will have to raise the team spirit in the final game, to restore some lost standing in World Rugby, if this tournament is to have any rewards [at all]
With Fiji’s World Cup journey coming to an end next week, calls have started all around the Fijian Islands that the parent body the Fiji Rugby Union to retain the coaching group of Coach John McKee, Frans Ludeke, Tabai Matson and Alan Muir in the set-up for another four years. Everyone in the Islands has seen the fruit of their work; in the Pacific Nations Cup victory and they want that group to take this team through to qualifying for Japan 2019.
By then, this team will be a force for all Tier One nations to deal with. No longer a push over.
But before that, Uruguay “you are next”.
“Main photo”
