Wales fly-half Dan Biggar says the Rugby World Cup fixture against the FIJI Water Flying Fijians on Monday will prove pivotal in the quest to make it to the quarter-finals in France.
Fiji are highest in the world rankings in Pool C going into the tournament with a current seventh-place position, above Australia (ninth) and Wales (10th).
Georgia and Portugal complete the pool. Biggar, 33, told BBC Sports that everything they are doing in the lead-up to the RWC is catered for Fiji in Bordeaux next week.
“The warm-up games were there for a purpose. Everybody was disappointed with the way the South Africa game went but from that day, everything is factored into what will happen in Bordeaux,” said Biggar, who will retire from international rugby after the France campaign.
“Four years ago we were in a very different place going into the World Cup, so we could almost plot our way through more.
“This time around because of where Fiji have come through and levels they have hit, everything hinges on that first game.”
He insisted Fiji’s win over England does not affect Wales’ preparations.
“That game has not made much difference to how we were approaching Fiji,” he said.
“If you look across the park at Fiji, they have some incredibly strong and gifted athletes but what they have done over the last few games is look more solid and they finished the game strongly against England.
“The week before France put a good template of solid rugby against a Fiji team (France won 34-17) who want something to hit. It is really simple.
“We know our set-piece needs to be good, we need to kick accurately, chase every ball and close every bit of space. How often can we do the basics really well? That’s what the top sides do.”
He also hopes Wales can surprise people at his final World Cup before international retirement. ”
Hopefully we are on the right side of the draw and we can surprise a few people,” said Biggar.
“That’s ultimately what it will be because nobody is expecting us to do well. We are happy to be under the radar.”
