Last Updated: Sep 24, 2007 - 3:22:56 PM


Bring on Fiji, we are ready: Wales
By fijitimes.com
Sep 24, 2007 - 3:22:25 PM

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The two teams meet in a decider on Sunday morning (Fiji time) to determine who will accompany Australia from Pool B to the quarter-finals of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Both teams are on 10 points each after Fiji lost 55-12 to Australia yesterday morning, but Wales has a better total differential.

Classed as one of the top matches of the last round, the two teams have shifted gear to prepare for the encounter which is expected to be brutal. Wales number eight Alix Popham put it best when he said, "bring on Fiji, we are ready."

He said while the Fijians were known for their physicality, Wales would not back down.

"We are ready to take them on," he said.

"We know it will be a very tough game against Fiji and even their wingers are 16 stone-plus and can run like horses.

"They are a very physical side and we will sit down and discuss but we know now that it will be winner-takes-all."

Coach Gareth Jenkins said Fiji showed against Australia that they could never be counted out.

"We know what we saw against Australia and that was the island style," he said.

"It determines who finishes second in the pool so it is a huge game for both of us.

"We definitely need impact and sustainability on the bench and it's going to be a big selection for me."

Fiji coach Ilivasi Tabua said there were a number of areas which he would work on during the week.

"We are looking to have more control in the game. We gave away a lot of penalties, especially in the line-out in Australia territory and in the scrum as well," he said.

"We want to work on our defence too and improve our upfront tackling.

"But I'm very proud of the players we put in.

"We thought we had a few chances at the end of the first half to chase the score and I was pleased with the younger players coming through, knowing that we've got a tougher game against Wales next week."

The match starts at 3am.





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