Fiji 'can qualify for World Cup quarter-finals' says skipper and coach

Fiji captain Akapusi Qera insists his side are 'not here just to make up the numbers' ahead of their World Cup opener against England at Twickenham on Friday, September 18.

Qera made his comments after Fiji had thrashed Canada 47-18 in a pre-tournament friendly at The Stoop, west London, on Sunday.

Fiji are in Pool A at the World Cup, along with tournament hosts England, Australia, Wales and Uruguay – a section that has already been dubbed the 'group of death.'

Skipper Qera said:"We're not here to make up the numbers. We're here to stamp our mark as well. We'll be ready for England."

And Fiji coach John McKee added that his team are more than capable of qualifying for the quarter-finals as one of two nations from Pool A.

The New Zealander said: "We know what a good side England are and we need to be at our absolute best to topple them, but we have the belief that we can do well.

"It's a big task but the great thing about sport is that challenges bring out the best in people and I believe that with the team we've got we are going to cause some upsets in this competition.

"We don't see them as upsets but other people may do. We've got the England game, but this pool isn't all about facing England, it's about all four games.

"There will be a lot of twists and turns. Teams are going to beat each other, win games and lose games, so it could be very tight at the end. We want to get out of the pool phase."

The Fijians have one injury concern following Sunday's win over the Canadians. Scrum-half Nikola Matawalu, who scored two tries in the match, suffered a groin injury but is expected to be fit to face England.