DRAGON slayers was the headline plastered onto the front page of The Fiji Times on Monday, October 1, 2007 when the Flying Fijians defeated Wales 38-34 in their final pool match at the Rugby World Cup in France.
The atmosphere in Nantes, where the match went down, shifted as the full-time result showed the underdogs from the Pacific had downed the vicious power of the Welsh dragon in a field closer to home and for Fiji, far, far away.
It marked an unprecedented level of celebrations across the country, which was still finding its footing after the political upheaval of the year before.
A nation searching for a purpose and the unwavering level of determination embodied by its squad were the ingredients used to produce that moment of truth.
And nearly 19 years later, the two nations find itself standing on a new platform; the Nations Championship.
Fiji hosts Wales on their home turf at Cardiff City Stadium, the opener to the inaugural rugby competition that will run every two years.
The first leg of this championship will be hosted by the southern hemisphere teams, thus Fiji taking its matches to Europe in the belief of higher returns and a new market of fans gained when hosted far away from Fiji’s shores.
But for interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula and his band of Flying Fijian gladiators, getting to this point was the result of devout preparations and the assembly of a squad boasting ferocity in both the forwards and backline.
However, the victory in 2007 secured with tries scored by Akapusi Qera, Vilimoni Delasau, Kele Leawere and Grahame Dewes, with conversions made by Nicky Little, were part of the baby steps taken by the Flying Fijians to elevate itself to its new status as a Tier One nation.
Fiji faces Wales in their first match at 1.10pm, and England in Liverpool at the same time next week.
