THERE is plenty reasons for optimism in the Vodafone Flying Fijians with some top rugby campaigners returning to their line-up this weekend against Italy.
Manasa Saulo will strengthen the scrum department, Olympian and Toulon winger Josua Tuisova will add depth in the backline while Levani Botia is expected to join the side late and Clermont star Peceli Yato was rested because of an agreement with his club.
With less than a day for the crunch time, the Fijians need to be sharper on attack to win big Test matches in this month’s international matches.
The side’s main aim is to win the Oceania tournament that will put Fiji against the Wallabies in the 2019 Rugby World Cup and topping the qualifying rounds will be the main goal.
Anyway, first up, the host side will take on Italy on tomorrow and the two sides have played each other on 10 occasions, each winning five times.
In the Rugby World Cup record, they have had only a single meeting which came in the first tournament in May 31, 1987 at Carisbrook, Dunedin, New Zealand, where the Italians defeated the Fijians 15-18.
Wikipedia reported Fiji has a 100 per cent winning record at home, with all three meetings in the bag; Italy on the other hand has a 75 per cent winning record at home winning three times from four fixtures.
Fiji first played Italy in Suva on June 14, 1980 where the Rupeni Qaraniqio-captained side won 16-3, ESPN reported. The run on side were Luke Namadila, Senivalati Laulau, Kini Vosailagi, Wami Gavidi, Isimeli Radrodro, Paula Waisake, Tuimasi Tubananitu, Atonio Racika, Peceli Kina, Ilisoni Taoba, Jope Naucabalavu Jr, Ilami Lutumailagi, Iokimi Finau, Qaraniqio (c).
On a notable occasion, in November 26, 2005 at Stadio Brianteo, Monza, the Italians hosted the Fijians in a snow covered playing ground and recorded a 23-8 win over the tourists during the end of year Test. After an impressive display in the 37-14 loss to the Wallabies last Saturday, flyhalf Ben Volavola when responded to www.rugby.com.au the Melbourne clash was a crucial learning experience for a new generation of players, in a team that included three debutants.
“We’ve got young guys coming through and it was great exposure for them and for the rest of the squad,” he said.
“Now, we’ve got things to work on, which is positive and individuals stood up here this afternoon and we’ve got to look forward to next week and putting up a good performance against Italy.”
The defeat is the first of five mid-year Tests the Fijians will play, with the final two against Samoa and Tonga ultimately the deciding factor of Fiji’s 2019 Rugby World Cup pool with the target of the Oceania group to win a place in Pool 4 in 2019. Next week the John McKee-coached team will take on the Rugby World Cup 2015 semi-finalist — Scotland.
Pool 4 consists of Australia, Wales, Georgia and Americas 2 and a loss in the qualifier will see Fiji end up in Pool 3 that have world giants such as England, France, Argentina, a team that will qualify from Americas 1 or end up in the repechage against a African team for a place in Pool 2, which has New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Africa 1.
McKee is looking at the bigger picture after the loss to the Wallabies.
“Every week we play, we go out to win Test matches, that’s what we’re there for but the eye is on the big goal at the end and we’ve got to make sure we’re developing our game,” McKee told www.rugby.com.au.
The Fiji-Italy Test will be held at the ANZ Stadium at 3pm.
