From
We've proved it
By fijitimes.com
Oct 8, 2007 - 2:17:55 PM
Fiji came close to creating the biggest upset ever at the Rugby World Cup, before going down 37-20 against South Africa in the quarter-final yesterday.
The Flying Fijians tore the Springboks defense apart and drew level 20-all with 15 minutes left in the match.
However, a few basic errors combined with Ifereimi Rawaqa's failure to ground a sure five-pointer saw South Africa hit back. The Fijians, apart from Argentina which beat Scotland 19-12 ion the quarter-final, were never tipped to come so far in the competition.
This was beside the fact that they threw the kitchen sink at the Boks, who were tipped to easily win the match.
Fiji Rugby Union chief executive Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua said the team had shown quality and deserved to be recognised by the International Rugby Board.
"The players showed they deserve to get more big matches," Tavanavanua said.
"We have shown we can match the IRB tier one nations."
Skipper Mosese Rauluni believes his side showed they can compete at the highest level.
"We have defied all odds and done what no one expected us to do and hopefully this will not go unnoticed," Rauluni said.
Number eight Sisa Koyamaibole echoed his skipper's sentiments. "Today (yesterday) we set a standard that we can match the tier one nations," Koyamaibole said.
Hooker Sunia Koto said his side stood toe-to-toe with the Boks and proved teams such as Fiji were no push over.
"We stood up against what is probably the best forward pack in the world and I am very proud of the boys and we proved a lot," Koto said.
Rauluni rued the missed opportunities against South Africa. At 20-20 we could have turned it round," Rauluni said.
"But simple things, a missed tackle, a dropped ball and bang, there we were back down the other end.
"To score two tries when we were down to 14, the players took confidence from that and we could see South Africa were withering in a sense.
"A few mistakes crept into their game, we were really bouncing and were hard on their line but that mistake changed the game for us as they came straight to our half."
Fiji's remarkable combination of pace, power and balance allied to improved stamina makes them a threat to even the best defensive sides and they walk away rightly proud of their contribution. "The Japan and Canada games really inspired the boys and we knew then we could really play for 80 minutes," Rauluni said.
"We took that to the Wales game, which was all guts.
"Today (yesterday) was a different story, we were very structured. We couldn't just get that try in the corner.
"But I couldn't be prouder of the boys. It's been a great ride and the road stops here.
"I hope for Fiji rugby we can go on from this."
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