After that thriller at Saint Etienne, when we defeated the Australian Wallabies, Flying Fijians fans are now anticipating big things when we take on the might of Georgia early tomorrow morning at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux in France.
This is it!
The big one if there ever was one!
Early tomorrow morning, fans will be keenly anticipating some exciting moments as the Flying Fijians play a match that may just catapult us to the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup 2023.
For what it is worth, there is respect written all over national coach Simon Raiwalui’s announcement of our team to take on the Georgians.
Respect!
Respect for the opposition, and respect for the fans back home!
We take on Georgia with our tried and tested pack, and backline.
Powerhouse loosehead prop Eroni Mawi packs down with Sam Matavesi at hooker and Luke Tagi at tighthead prop.
Our secondrow remains the same with Isoa Nasilasila and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, and our backrow sees the retention of two openside flankers, with Lekima Tagitagivalu slotting in on the blindside of the scrum, and the exciting Levani Botia comes in on the openside.
Big Viliame Mata is at number eight.
Out in the backline, kicking wonder Simione Kuruvoli is at halfback, inside five eight Teti Tela.
Josua Tuisova is back at second five eight with skipper Waisea Nayacalevu at centre.
Our wingers are Semi Radradra and Selesitino Ravutaumada with Laisa Droasese coming in at fullback.
There’s respect right across the field.
Our strongest lineup will take on the might of Georgia.
Raiwalui knows what this game is going to bring us.
He knows what to expect from the powerful Georgians, and what is going to happen back home.
He knows thousands of fans will be staying up late for this big one.
Out in the islands, up the mountains, and along the coasts around Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, fans will either be sitting with a mix of kava, listening to small chat, or just lazing around, in anticipation of a thriller.
Raiwalui knows this because it is part of the base of our challenge and campaign at this RWC.
He wants each player to know their roots.
He wants them to connect to the people, the base for success.
He wants each player to appreciate that they carry the hopes and aspirations of a proud rugby nation, where people from all walks of life will shrug aside any differences they have for about 80 minutes.
He knows they will unite in support of the Flying Fijians.
And results should matter.
He knows how patriotic and passionate Fiji fans can be.
For as much as the players are making sacrifices on the field, and off the field in preparation for their big games, it’s the fans who are providing the lung power on the day in the stands, and on many islands of a little country deep in the Pacific Ocean.
There are many reasons to play at the RWC.
For the Flying Fijians, the fans must matter, for wherever they are on our planet, Fijians will be watching, taking time out, across continents and nations, across time differences, to cheer on their favourite team.
This is one moment when we can take on the best teams in the world, and this year, at this RWC, there is great hope for great things.
We say bring it on!
Go Fiji, go!
