Fiji Water Flying Fijians skipper Waisea Nacayalevu says they will be expecting a different style of rugby today when they play Japan in their last test match of the Pacific Nations Cup match.
“We know they are a good team, one of the best in the competition, so we are expecting a difficult match against them,” the 33-year-old said.
“They have been playing very well in past World Cups, mainly the last one in 2019.”
However, Nayacalevu said they were looking forward to the challenge.
“We know they play a very fast, and well-structured game.”
Meanwhile, coach Simon Raiwalui says facing Japan will bring about a different set of challenges when they play tonight.
“Japan plays a very different game, a very fast and well-structured one but the boys are looking forward to playing them,” he said.
Nayacalevu, who is also a former national 7s rep, was part of the Fiji Men’s National 7s team during the IRB Sevens World Series from 2011 to 2012 before being selected into the Flying Fijians.
The RC Toulonnais winger has a total of 22 caps for the Flying Fijians side, making his first appearance for the squad at the IRB Pacific Nations Cup in 2012 where he made his debut against Japan.
Later that year he signed with Slate Francis, a club in France, after his performance at the PNC and made his debut against Montpellier in the Top 14 competition.
He returned to Fiji the following year and managed to secure a spot in the national 7s team for the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens.
Since 2021, Nayacalevu has been sharing captaincy duties for the Flying Fijians with Levani Botia and Semi Radradra, being one of the most experienced and standout players on the team.
They will play Japan at 10.15pm tonight.
