Fiji’s President and Minister for Youth and Sports have congratulated the Fiji Water Flying Fijians despite their devastating loss to Wales at the Rugby World Cup in France this week.
President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere told the team to hold their heads high and to never give up whilst also congratulating them on their outstanding performance in their first game, which they narrowly lost 26-32.
And Minister for Youth and Sports, Jese Saukuru added:. “Defeat should never extinguish the flame within; instead, it should fuel a stronger determination to overcome challenges.”
While English referee Matthew Carley’s performance during the match has been criticised, including by former Fiji 7s coach Ben Ryan, former Fiji rep Simon Raiwalui says the team wasn’t clinical enough to grab the opportunities at hand, with disallowed tries and critical mistakes shown throughout the game.
Good news for the Wallabies
Wallabies Head Coach Eddie Jones took the three-hour train ride from Paris to Bordeaux to watch Australia’s pool rivals, Fiji and Wales, go head to head.
Australia meets Fiji at the Rugby World Cup on Monday. Australia and Wales both earned bonus points and are equal on five points at the top of Pool C, while Fiji’s late surge meant they picked up two valuable bonus points as well.
Wallabies assistant coach Dan Palmer said of Fiji: “They’re going to put different pictures in front of us. I think it’s going to be a slightly looser game.
“They’ve got threats across the park. They’re reasonably unique in world rugby in the way they play.”
Fekitoa hopes to bring change for Tonga
Former New Zealand World Cup player, Malakai Fekitoa hopes to bring a new perspective for his home team as they prepare for a tough match against Ireland this Saturday.
Alongside Fekitoa, the Tongan team has assembled the likes of former Australian lock Adam Coleman, former All Blacks Vaea Fifita, George Moala, Charles Piutau and Augustine Pulu, making them one of Tonga’s best squads for the Rugby World Cup yet. However, they are in one of the toughest pools in the tournament, with Scotland, South Africa and Romania to be played after their match against Ireland.
Meanwhile Samoa is also set to play its first game World Cup Game on Saturday, meeting Chile in Bordeaux.
