Wales v Fiji: Five talking points ahead of the Pool A showdown
Last Updated: 01/10/15 4:25pm
We look at five talking points ahead of Wales' Rugby World Cup Pool A match against Fiji at the Millennium Stadium on Thursday.
Wales recorded a famous win over England at Twickenham on Saturday, and five short days later face the physical challenge of a Fijian side seeking their first World Cup victory in 2015.
The Fijians pushed England right until the end when the two sides met in the opening match before the host nation pulled away, while Wales came from behind to complete a win over the English that put them at the top of Pool A.
This has become a vital game for Wales. A win on Thursday puts them in a very strong position to qualify for the quarter-final, and here we look at five points to look out for when the two sides face off.
Bigger expectations
Though Fiji and Uruguay may have disputed it, the talk ahead of Pool A kicking off surrounded which of the three top-seeded teams would make it out of the pool.
Crippled by injury, Wales were widely tipped as the side that would miss out, but nobody bothered telling Warren Gatland and his team, who recorded a victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday.
But what will that do to Wales, who now have the expectation that comes with being in pole position? The England win sent Wales all the way into second in the World Rugby rankings, just one place behind the All Blacks, which will add to the pressure.
The game against Fiji represents the final banana skin that could scupper a dream start to the World Cup. Should Wales beat Fiji, they will retain top spot in the pool, and make England's job all the more difficult to qualify.
If England lose to Australia this weekend then Wales have a straight shoot-out with the Wallabies to top Pool A, but how will they react with their squad further depleted by injuries? The added pressure will test the younger players in the Wales squad.
Levani Botia
In the past, Fijians have not been known for following the trend when it comes to playing rugby.
The 15-man team often looked like an oversubscribed 7s team in the way they approached a game; the forwards not too interested in the set piece, preferring to mix it up with the backs, while the backs resembled forwards - until they ran with the ball.
The modern Fiji side shows much more discipline. The forwards are formidable in the scrum and their lineout is run with accuracy, however Levani Botia is proof that some things never change.
The La Rochelle centre has been called into the side, and will be looking to make a big impact against Jamie Roberts at the Millennium Stadium.
Despite his size he's got quick feet and a sidestep, and because of his size he's someone you wish would sidestep more often so you'd need to tackle him less.
The man in the No 12 jersey is a 7s star, and as such his all-round game will be tough for Wales to shut out. He will make his mark on the game.
Missing in action
Wales's win over England was particularly impressive given the disruption they've endured with regards to personnel.
Liam Williams picked up a concussion at Twickenham, sidelining him for the Fiji game, while centre Scott Williams and wing Hallam Amos are out of the tournament after they were injured during the same match.
These names add to a growing injury crisis for Wales, who lost Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb to injury before the competition even started. But they are not the only team with players missing.
Fiji have lost winger Waisea Nayacalevu and prop Isei Colati to injury, and will also be without Nemani Nadolo for the big game after the winger was found guilty of making a dangerous tackle against Australia in their second run out.
Despite missing key players, Fiji's backs coach John Matson says his side have drawn strength from their opponents.
"The England v Wales game was a perfect example of a team who, despite the individuals falling over, managed to remain standing as a team," said Matson.
"For us, we can take a lesson out of the fact that you can lose individuals, but if the team is resolute you can still get an outcome.
"This is when your squad strength is tested. It's so important to have that depth. It is becoming harder, just because of the nature of the tournament and the time frame."
Scrum battle
Wales' pack remains unchanged from Twickenham as they venture into more the more familiar territory of a home game.
Replacement tighthead prop Samson Lee is hoping for not just a change in venue, but also a change in fortune at scrum time.
Wales were impressive in the loose against Lancaster's troops, but were thoroughly dominated at the scrum. England were given shots at goal when the Welsh scrum disintegrated on two separate occasions, both of which were converted by Owen Farrell, but points aside it was a general area of concern throughout the game.
Lee says he and his colleagues have discussed the problems they suffered, and will show improvement against their southern hemisphere opponents.
"We have to sort out whatever we need to get right and then take it into the Fiji match on Thursday. The problems are 100 per cent fixable," said Lee.
"We lost most of the hits in the scrum and ended up soaking up the hits, so this week we have to get our speed right going into the scrum.
"No one is going to be happy with Wales coming second in the set-piece. So we will get it right this week and get our speed back.
"The Fijian pack has improved over the years, so this game will be really tough."
Home ground advantage?
After the cauldron of a baying Twickenham crowd on Saturday, the Welsh team will be grateful for the home comforts of being back in Cardiff for this game. Or will they?
"We are looking forward to being back at the Millennium Stadium on Thursday and having the crowd right behind us in an important World Cup fixture," said Warren Gatland.
So he certainly thinks so, but Wales' record against Fiji at the Millennium Stadium over the past decade suggest it's not a comfortable hunting ground for the number two side in the world.
In 2005 Wales were forced to come from behind to record an 11-10 win, while in 2010 they were held to a 16-16 draw during a disappointing November series.
Last year the Welsh could not quite get rid of their Fijian guests, and a 78th-minute try from Nadolo Nasiganiyavi ensured a nervy end to a 17-13 win.
Wales are a better team now than they were then, but so are Fiji, so Gatland will want his troops to take the game away from Fiji early, in order to avoid opening the door to a catastrophic loss at home.
Wales: 15 Matthew Morgan, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Gethin Jenkins, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Bradley Davies, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Aaron Jarvis, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 James Hook.
Fiji: 15 Metuisela Talebula, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Lepani Botia, 11 Aseli Tikoirotuma, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 1 Campese Maafu, 2 Sunia Koto, 3 Manasa Saulo, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7 Akapusi Qera (c), 8 Netani Talei.
Replacements: 16 Viliame Veikoso, 17 Peni Ravia, 18 Leeroy Atalifo, 19 Nemia Soqeta, 20 Malakai Ravulo, 21 Henry Seniloli, 22 Joshua Matavesi, 23 Kini Murimurivalu.