Flying Fijians

The penalty count against the national side have not hit double figures since their match against Japan on August 5th.

Fiji conceded seven penalties against Japan, England and Australia while there were nine when they played France.

Flying Fijians assistant coach Glen Jackson says the team is trying its best to minimize the penalty count.

Fiji’s brilliance at the turnover, combined with the clinical boot of Kuruvoli, saw them pick up their first win of the tournament after last week’s defeat by Wales.

Australian full-back Ben Donaldson was opportunistic early on and punished a Fiji high tackle when he converted the first opportunity of the game to give Australia a 3-0 lead after three minutes.

The Pacific Islanders sought a response through scrum-half Kuruvoli, who tied the score before converting another penalty to give his side a 6-3 lead after 20 minutes.

Simione Kuruvoli will start ahead of Frank Lomani while Josua Tuisova moves to inside center.

Levani Botia is at openside flanker with Lekima Tagitagivalu moving to blindside.

Semi Radradra shifts to the wing and will lineup against Mark Nawaqanitawase with Jiuta Wainiqolo wearing the number 14 jersey.

The tight five has been retained along with captain Waisea Nayacalevu, Ilaisa Droasese and Teti Tela.

Vilimoni Botitu will make his World Cup debut off the bench.

Fiji plays Australia at 3:45am on Monday.

Fiji are expected to enter the Saint-Etienne match on Sunday (Monday AEST) breathing fire after they fell short against Wales in their opening pool game.

The Fijians rallied from a 32-14 deficit, scoring twice in the last seven minutes before former NRL star Semi Radradra knocked on close to the line in the dying seconds, condemning his team to a 32-26 loss.

Seven players with links to Fiji are part of the Australian side which includes Suliasi Vunivalu, Marika Koroibete, Isaac Fines Leleiwasa, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Samu Kerevi, Rob Valetini and Langi Gleeson,

Fiji Water Flying Fijians number eight Viliame Mata believes it’s going to be a special occasion but their objective hasn’t changed.

“It’s just a great challenge for us to go against our fellow Fijians from the other side but it doesn’t take away the mindset, we’re going for our first win this week, that’s what our mindset is,”

Following the Flying Fijians’ 32-26 loss to Wales in their opening Rugby World Cup loss, people have taken to social media to raise their concerns over referee Mathew Carley’s inconsistent decisions.

Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui also stated in the post-match press conference yesterday that he wants consistency from match officials.
Valenitabua says they will follow a due process.

The major sponsoring company for the Flying Fijians hosted its workers for a breakfast gathering and rugby watch party.

FIJI Water’s Associate Vice President, Michael Lynch said “FIJI Water paused production at its bottling plant in Yaqara for a few hours so that all employees could gather to enjoy breakfast and watch the exhilarating match between Fiji and Wales.”

“FIJI Water hosted the Rugby World Cup Watch Party with a dedicated FIJI WaterFan Zone, which was set up at the loading docks.”

The national side went down 32-26 in what was the match of the round.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Nayacalevu said they’re sorry for not getting the win.

He added they understood the expectations but it didn’t go their way in the end.

The inspirational skipper also urged fans to keep on supporting them in their World Cup campaign.

Fiji faces Australia in Saint Etienne next weekend.

It was a match that lived up to expectations with both sides giving their all for 80 minutes with two disallowed tries.

Fiji’s bench really raised the bar with their efforts when they came on and nearly pulled off a memorable victory.

The French fans got behind Fiji right from the start and never lost their voice.

Fiji was penalized less than a minute into the match when Albert Tuisue failed to release the ball after a tackle was made, Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar made no mistake with his shot at goal.

The Fiji Rugby Union has officially confirmed this.

This unfortunate setback means that he will be unable to participate any further in the tournament

Teti Tela is set to step in and take the field against Wales on Monday.

Muntz, who made his debut for Fiji earlier this year, had been in exceptional form and played a pivotal role in Fiji’s impressive 30-22 victory over England just two weeks ago.

Coach Simon Raiwalui said its most devastating for them as a group and for Muntz.