Welcome to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, where 20 teams will fiercely and courageously clash for a glory made available once in every four years.
Fans of the Flying Fijians will be breathing a renewed sense of confidence and hope of successfully securing a spot in the quarters.
The historical victory against England was a much-needed boost for Fiji but I am feeling nervous and anxious this time around, about our slim chances of progressing beyond Pool C.
I am beginning to wonder whether we have prepared sufficiently, or will the ghosts of the last two Rugby World Cups (2015 and 2019) come back to haunt us?
Rugby World Cup matches are risky encounters, with outcomes dependent on simple things including interpretations of rules by referees and painful mistakes.
Without wanting to sound like a rugby guru, I am of the opinion that a simple review of our performances at the last two World Cups offers invaluable insights for our gladiators in France.
In this regard, there are about three lessons which stand out.
First and foremost is respect. Every coaching team has invested time and effort into their team’s preparations. The methods of physical, mental, and spiritual preparation differ but there is a fundamental commonality amongst all teams.
Confidence in defeating opponents on the rugby paddocks is at an all-time peak.
I believe that our Flying Fijians cannot and should not accommodate thoughts of over confidence. In 2019, Uruguay delivered the biggest upset at Rugby World Cup. Oh, that was a painful and humiliating defeat against Uruguay.
In France, the Flying Fijians must treat every team in Pool C as a finalist. Let us not worry too much about Australia and Wales because Portugal and Georgia have every reason to defeat us.
Secondly, one cannot over emphasise the importance of endurance. This is especially true in the second half, because this is usually a period when winners are determined.
One of my best memories at the 2019 World Cup was us leading against Australia and Wales but unfortunately, we slackened around the 55 – 60 minute.
Then Australia and Wales began to stamp their superiority by snatching the game from us as the Flying Fijians ran out of steam.
The inclusion of Drua players offers healthy competition as our coaching panel have the luxury of choosing substitutes with much energy reserves.
In my opinion, our coaching staff must display a proactive approach in the timing of substitutes.
For some reason best known to our coaching team of 2019 and 2015, substitutes were introduced on too late into the match, whereas Australia and Wales started injecting new players onto the paddocks early into the second half.
Thirdly, our motivation and passion at the breakdown is critical. Like a pack of hungry wolves, we must compete in this aspect of the game.
The ability to force turnovers and maintain possession puts our opponents under pressure and more importantly, lays an ideal platform for our backline to unleash its attacking prowess.
Even in the lineouts, we cannot adopt a wait and see attitude. We must compete to steal possession and deliver quickly to our backline.
The moment we have been waiting for has arrived in France.
There is no turning back from now onwards. I am confident that Simon Raiwalui and his coaching team have pondered over lessons from the past two World Cups and adequately incorporated this into preparations.
In my humble opinion, this holds the key to our success in France. In true sportsmanship, let us welcome the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France and continue to faithfully standby by the Flying Fijians.
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