At the last two World Cups, Fiji suffered surprise defeats in the competition. First there was, in Japan, this setback against Uruguay (27-30), then, last Sunday, this unexpected defeat against Portugal (23-24). The Pacific players only found their salvation – and their qualification – by gleaning the bonus point at the last minute. “There was disappointment, but also this qualification for the quarter-finals. So we got together and talked about the positive points to remember,” says Seremaia Baï, the coach in charge of the kicking game, well known in the Top 14 after his stints at Clermont (2006-2010), then Castres (2010-2014).
At the time of the assessment of the first round, the “Flying Fijians” alternated between the very good, with this success full of authority over Australia, but also the most indigent because, before this setback against “Os Lobos” (the wolves), they were held in check by Georgia (18-18). Falling back into their chronic inconstancy. “This result is a disappointment, but we had one goal in mind, that of qualifying for the quarter-finals, positive Seremaia Baï. Qualification was complicated given the composition of the group. We are happy to be in the quarter-finals.”
Now for England. How we meet again… Before the World Cup, Fiji made history by signing their first victory against the Rose XV, what’s more in the rugby temple of Twickenham. Striking a big blow before the world games. “This victory gave us a lot of confidence. The most important thing during knockout matches is to remember that anything can happen, underlines the Fijian technician. We must re-mobilize, refocus and prepare properly to face this formidable England team.”
And to insist: “We will recover in the areas where it is necessary.” There are a few…. We will first have to avoid all these hand faults in spades, which prevented the islanders from deploying their game. “In the first half, we did not have managed to release the balls well and we went too far forward on collisions, recognized coach Simon Raiwalui. We also did good things but we will have to work on the fundamentals, especially in conquest where they took us. Solid in conquest against the Wallabies, Levani Botia and his teammates were unable to impose their density in front against the Portuguese. Which explains, in large part, their inability to deploy their game.
The confrontation against the English will give rise to a great clash of styles between the Fijians renowned for their offensive qualities and the English who excel in occupation with kicking play. Steve Borthwick’s players could decide to avoid the Islanders head-on, to “walk around” them. An area in which the Fijians had failed against the Portuguese, as the Castres opener, Vilimoni Botitu, had conceded. “Above all, we will have to improve the management of the game,” he insisted. The kicking game didn’t work, but we’re going to get back to work, learn lessons from this match.”
Seremaia Baï, a specialist in the field, suggests that her team will need to find “a balance between racing and kicking. We know that the quality of their kicking game makes them capable of creating danger anywhere on the pitch.” Culturally, Fijians are reluctant to play this form of the game, but many of them playing in the Top 14 are now used to it. “The important thing is to make sure we are prepared for these different kicking duel scenarios and to counterbalance them by finding the right moments to try counter-attacks with the ball in hand. This is a point on which we will have to be very intelligent,” warns Baï.
Also pay attention to slackening. By reaching the quarter-finals of a World Cup for the third time in its history after 1987 and 2007, the Fijians have already written the history of their country, which reigns supreme in 7. The fever has taken hold of the archipelago “I don’t call it enthusiasm, I would rather call it madness,” says Seremaia Baï. As in England, a country passionate about rugby, in the small islands of Fiji, everyone gets up early, at three or five in the morning (to follow the matches). People who are sick regain their color when we win matches. We must not forget that we are not only fighting to win this quarter-final: we are playing for our people, for the children and the people in the villages. It means a lot to them.”