Oita (Japan) (AFP)
Still undefeated, Wales will validate its ticket to the quarter-finals of the World Cup if successful on Fiji Wednesday (11.45 French, 09.45 GMT) to Oita.
The Welsh, who should win their final match Sunday against modest Uruguay, can then focus on the quarter-finals, likely to face the second in Pool C (the loser of England-France).
- A qualification to be assured
The Fijians have cleverly maintained their unpredictable team image since the start of the World Cup. They jostled Australia for an hour before bowing down (39-21). Before playing "throws ball" to the delight of Uruguay, victorious (30-27). And to recover in beauty against Georgia (45-10). "I do not want them to spoil the party," Warren Gatland said. "It's a very enterprising team in the first 20-30 minutes - the longer they stay in the match, the more they think they can get a result."
Except miracle (defeat Welsh Wednesday and Sunday), the Fijians will not see the quarterfinals. But they console themselves with the 3rd place of the hen; qualifying for France-2023. Coach John McKee, who chose to place Peceli Yato on the bench, still called on his players to achieve "one of Fiji's greatest performances."
- A stability to maintain
Warren Gatland has bet on stability since the start of the world: no change between the first two games (Georgia and Australia), and only two to face Fiji. He has been holding his team since the Grand Slam in the 2019 tournament, to the point that the opening half Dan Biggar, released on concussion against Australia on September 29, will be on the pitch ten days later. "I project myself in a broad frame seeing further in this competition," summarizes Gatland.
And assistant coach Stephen Jones has identified areas for improvement: "On the offensive side, there are some areas that we need to improve." To overcome these shortcomings, he relies on the match against Fiji, then on the ten days of preparation until the quarter-final, because most holders should be exempted from the match against Uruguay Sunday.
- The memory of 2007 to be erased
A trauma ... During the World Cup-2007, Fiji had deprived the Welsh quarter-final, after a crazy game, won (38-34) on a beautiful sunny afternoon in Nantes. This counter-performance had precipitated the dismissal of coach Gareth Jenkins, and ... the arrival of Warren Gatland.
Stephen Jones was then the opening half of the Leek XV. Twelve years later, he was called to coach following the dismissal, just before the start of the World Cup, of Rob Howley, suspected of illegal betting. The memory of Nantes 2007 is intact: "This match highlighted Fijian rugby and if you give them time and space, they make the ball circulate very well, make passes after contact and you put under pressure "...
Composition of the teams of Wales and Fiji Islands, which will compete in World Cup on Wednesday (11:45 French) in Oita:
Wales: Li. Williams - North, J. Davies, Parkes, Adams - (o) Biggar, (m) G. Davies - J. Davies, Moriarty, Navidi - AW Jones, Ball - T. Francis, Owens, W Jones
Fiji: Murimurivalu - Tuisova, Waisea Nayacalevu, Botia, Radrada - (o) Volavola, (m) Lomani - Kunatani, Mata, Waqaniburotu (cap.) - Nakarawa, Cavubati - Saulo, S. Matavesi, Ma'afu
Referee: Mr Garcès (FRA)
replacements:
Wales: Dee, Carre, Lewis D., Shingler, Wainwright, T. Williams, Patchell, Watkin
Fiji: Dolokoto, Mawi, Ravai, Ratuniyarawa, Yato, Matawalu, Vatubua, J. Matavesi
© 2019 AFP