Fiji to target Wales back row as they chase Rugby World Cup upset
Wales vs Fiji
World Cup
9th October
Fiji will look to put pressure on Wednesday on Wales rear row in their Rugby World Cup battle as the Pacific islanders look to keep their faint quarter-final hopes alive, coach John McKee explained.
Wales coach Warren Gatland has chosen to rest Justin Tipuric for its Pool D game at Oita Stadium, bringing in James Davies in flanker.
Together with Josh Navidi shifting across into the blindside, Ross Moriarty was encouraged to begin at No 8, in other Welsh tweaks.
McKee has brought Viliame Mata with the Edinburgh termed at No 8 in place of the benched Peceli Yato.
The only real change to this Fiji starting side that thrashed Georgia 45-10, Olympic rugby sevens gold medallist Mata will endure with openside flanker Semi Kunatani and ruler Dominiko Waqaniburotu.
We have got some rather great back rowers, and whichever way we perform with them, its a very powerful, powerful back row on the park, said McKee.
We can determine what a solid side theyre around the breakdown. Among the closest battles is there.
Wales certainly look to attack the ball around the carriers and either try to win turnovers or slow up the ball. That is going to be a critical area for us, firstly to ensure we get great continuity and that secondly, were effective enough to get fast ball.
Having lost both pool matches against Uruguay and Australia, victory in their final battle against Wales would keep Fiji in contention for those quarter-finals, but they would require the Welsh or the Wallabies to slip up in their final matches to go through.
While Wales match Uruguay pool D leaders Australia play with Georgia in their final game.
We see this final pool sport as a challenge and an opportunity, it is important to complete the pool stage with a good note, said McKee.
We carry some momentum and confidence from the Georgia match and at precisely the same time know we must measure up in functionality in this match because itll be of a higher intensity.
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 6 Josh Navidi, seven James Davies, 9 Ross Moriarty.
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Aaron Shingler, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Owen Watkin.
Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 12 Lepani Botia, 11 Semi Radradra, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Frank Lomani; 1 Campese Maafu, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 3 Manasa Saulo, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (c), 7 Semi Kunatani, 8 Viliame Mata.
Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 20 Peceli Yato, 21 Nikola Matawalu 23 Josh Matavesi.
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