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Preview: Fiji v Canada

Vilimoni Delasau: Can break a few tackles

Canada will be heading into their Pool B clash with Fiji desperate for a win to keep their quarter-finals hopes alive at the Rugby World Cup.

The Canucks, who impressed in their opening World Cup match against Wales, will need to be in top form against a Fijian side still beaming from their hard-fought win over Japan just three days ago.

Saturday's encounter at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff is one of the key fixtures that both teams have focused all their attention on winning.

In beating Japan, Fiji picked up a valuable bonus point for their four-try effort - a bonus point that may prove very useful if two or more teams tie in Pool B.

Fiji will have derived a measure of satisfaction knowing that they now only has to win one more game in order to secure a berth in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, with the third-placed team in each pool winning an automatic berth to New Zealand.

Though Fiji holds the 12th place ranking in the IRB standings, one spot higher than Canada, the record shows that Fiji hold a distinct advantage of five wins and two losses against Canada - something the Canucks will want to improve come kick-off.

The match promises to be more of a physical affair compared to Fiji's close call against the Cherry Blossoms, which saw some ground breaking runs from both sides.

Fiji have the potential to score from anywhere on the field when opponents least expect it, however they struggled against the Japanese - turning over far too much ball and getting shoved back in the mauls.

If there is a weakness in the Islanders' game, it is that their forwards don't like doing the hard work and making the hard yards. They would all prefer to hang around and wait for the chance to run the ball.

The Canucks are complete opposites.

Canada will look to continue their forward dominance that left Wales shell-shocked after several rolling mauls led to two touchdowns in Nantes a week ago.

Every time they attempted to run the ball at Wales, they were stopped in their tracks. That's not to say that they won't give it a go against the Fijians, but if they have any chance of winning, it will be up front.

On Sunday, Canada will look to control the forwards battle and deny Fiji any ball that their creative, speedy backs can exploit.

It's for this reason that Fiji have bolstered their scrum, with head coach Ilie Tabua making two changes to the starting line-up that beat Japan.

Ifereimi Rawaqa has overcome the calf strain which saw him miss Fiji's opener and rejoins regular partner, vice-captain Kele Leawere, in the second row where his experience and ability will be needed.

The only other change is at tight-head, where Jone Railomo displaces Henry Qiodravu who drops back to the bench.

"Railomo will give us an edge in the scrummaging, knowing that the Canadians will be tough up front and a lot bigger in size (than Japan) and that's why we've gone for that combination," said Tabua.

Canada have also decided to beef up their line-up with coach Ric Suggitt replacing Ander Monro with the more sterner Ryan Smith at the critical fly-half position.

In the forwards, lock Mike Burak adds some extra weight to the pack by filling in for Luke Tait in the second row.

"By adding Mike and Ryan to the line-up we know that we will have a couple of physical players on the pitch," said Suggitt.

"We will need to be more consistent for longer periods of play in this second game if we wish to attain our goal of three victories.

"By doing this we will hope to wear them down and deny them the ball for long periods of the game."

Ones to watch:

For Fiji: Quiet against Japan, Clermont winger Vilimoni Delasau still has to be unleashed in open space in this World Cup for the world to see just how dangerous he really is. Delasau possesses terrific acceleration and has a stunning sidestep that leaves his opponents grasping at shadows. He also has the leg power to break several tackles at a time.

For Canada: After a strong performance against Wales, Rod Snow's inclusion in the line-up for Sunday's game sees him earn his 60th cap - further solidifying his position as Canada's most-capped prop. Snow will also relish the opportunity of playing once again in Wales, in front of his many Welsh fans after playing for Newport Gwent Dragons in the 2003-04 season.

Head to head: Morgan Williams (Canada) v Mosese Rauluni (Fiji). Two in-form scrum-halves that were both instrumental in their opening games for their country. Williams, named man-of-the-match against Wales, has excellent vision and can marshall his forwards from all over the park. Rauluni is the bind that hold the Fiji forwards and backline together. His pace off the back of the scrum is something that Williams will need to keep an eye on.

Prediction: There may just be enough confidence left from Canada's uplifting and courageous performance against the Dragons, which just might spill over in Canada's favour. Canada to scrape home by six points.

Canada: 15 Mike Pyke, 14 DTH van der Merwe, 13 Craig Culpan, 12 Dave Spicer, 11 James Pritchard, 10 Ryan Smith, 9 Morgan Williams (c), 8 Sean-Michael Stephen, 7 Dave Biddle, 6 Jamie Cudmore, 5 Mike James, 4 Mike Burak, 3 Jon Thiel, 2 Pat Riordan, 1 Rod Snow
Replacements: 16 Aaron Carpenter, 17 Dan Pletch, 18 Mike Pletch, 19 Luke Tait, 20 Colin Yukes, 21 Ed Fairhurst, 22 Ander Monro

Fiji: 15 Kameli Ratuvou, 14 Vilimoni Delasau, 13 Seru Rabeni, 12 Seremaia Bai, 11 Isoa Neivua, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Mosese Rauluni (c), 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Semisi Naevo, 5 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4 Kele Leawere, 3 Jone Railomo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Graham Dewes
Replacements: 16 Vereniki Sauturaga, 17 Henry Qiodravu, 18 Netani Talei, 19 Jone Qovu, 20 Jone Daunivucu, 21 Maleli Kunavore, 22 Norman Ligairi

Date: Sunday September, 16
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Tony Spreadbury
Touch judges: Christophe Berdos, Mark Lawrence
Television match official: Craig Joubert
Assessor: Steve Hilditch