The group of death pits England, Wales and Australia together in group A, but an increasingly vocal minority are tipping another side in the pool to have a big say on its outcome. Fiji are dark horses, but are paling rapidly after their recent Pacific Nations Cup win, and will be ones to watch at the Rugby World Cup.
Most recently the legend that is George Smith came out and backed them to qualify for the knockout stages instead of both England and Wales – which would be quite some feat. At the very least, they look good value for upsetting one of the big three. Here are four of their players to watch out for.
1. Nemani Nadolo
The main man in Fijian rugby. Built like a freight train, able to run like a gazelle and with hands softer than a newborn’s skin, Nadolo is truly the complete rugby player. He even kicks goals, which for someone of his stature is simply ludicrous. He was rested during the Pacific Nations Cup (which makes their win all the more ominous) but is coming off the back of an insanely good Super Rugby season. He’s had plenty of fun against Wales before, having terrorised them last year. Below is a taster of what he’s been getting up to in the past year or so, and he’ll be in action again at the Twickenham Stoop on 6th September.
Video credit: 7RugbyVids
2. Leone Nakawara
Fans of the PRO12 and Glasgow in particular will be no stranger to this galloping lock, who has a handy habit of scoring breathtaking tries. Like seemingly all Fijians, he has hands the size of buckets that make the ball look like an egg, and only adds to the sense of amazement when he makes breaks. A giant of a man, he is not afraid of the grunt-work either, and playing in the engine room he will have a big role to play in ensuring the Fijians aren’t played out of the game at the set piece. If the game breaks down, however, expect him to score at least one try that no other second row in World Rugby could.
3. Ben Volavola
The half-backs have traditionally been where Fiji lacked strength, either boasting players that are a bit flaky and lack game management skills, or guys that are just a bit boring. On what little evidence we have seen of him so far, Volavola cuts a line somewhere in between the two. He was assured in leading the Flying Fijians to the Pacific Nations Cup, and he possesses plenty of pace and devil to keep defences interested in his own right. He has been frustrated for game time at the Waratahs in recent seasons, but up against the likes of Foley and Folau – who have been keeping him out of the team – he’ll have a message to send. Expect him to do just that.
4. Niko Matawalu
Volavola’s half-back partner for much of the Pacific Nations Cup is another adopted Glaswegian – although he has been snapped up by Bath for next season. Matawalu is lightning quick (he’s featured plenty of times on the wing for the Warriors) and can dart through a gap before the defence has even realised there’s one that needs plugging. His service is slick and he should ensure that whoever lines up at 10 gets decent ball. Best of all though, his propensity to have a dart – and make it work – will mean defences have to pay him close attention and should free up time and space for the many, many rugby riches outside him.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Fiji v Canada at the Stoop – Sunday 6th September
You can see these stars in action at the Stoop the week before they take on England in the Rugby World Cup’s opening match – tickets are just £15 for adults and £5 for children, which makes it the best value test match you’ll see in September and October!
As the final warm-up game, it will full of intensity and it’s set to be a great occasion for building excitement ahead of the main event. We’ll be there, so drop us a line if you are coming along.
As you know by now, we are hilarious, and you should be following us on Facebook and Twitter. 
Jesus. Best Nowell & Watson get popping the proton pills to have a chance of containing Nadolo.
The thing about Nadolo is that he’s good on his feet and in the air, but it takes him a long time to get up to speed when he starts running. Even if he gets through the defence, someone will be tracking back and should catch him up. Then it’s just a question of trying to tackle him. Imagine him and Burgess running at each other!!
Sparks would invariably fly should those two clash Dazza. Worth the ticket price in itself if SB starts.
I trust the nuggety Cornishman to bring the big man down. Watson – could be akin to a small lion cub trying to stop a wildebeest in its tracks.
How do we think May would fare??
Imagine Ashton…
Nadolo is a monster. Favourite bit of the video above is where Nonu tried to cynically block him and was casually put on his arse.
But he’s also insanely skillful. I can’t think of another player who kicks chips and grubbers with such precision without even breaking his stride.
I still think Rokoduguni would be England’s best wing option to defend against Nadolo, but suppose that’s a moot point now.
Nakawara has to be one of the most skillful locks I’ve ever seen. His carries and offloads in the Pro12 final were outstanding.
I’m just hoping we catch them cold in the opening match. Fiji do worry me, but happier that we play them first before they have a chance to gel!
Agreed, I’m glad their warm up match is vs Canada, so hopefully facing England will be a huge step up which might catch them out.
I think Nadolo normally plays in the centres for Fiji, so Joseph and A.N.Other will have to hit him low and early. I would like to see Burgess against him, as Barritt’s bravery but dubious technique could get him killed.
I think even SB may come off second best if he goes high on Nadolo ala RL-stylee.
Fiji are a potential banana-skin for sure….. I’d usually feel comfortable that our set-piece dominance and game management would be too much for them but on the evidence of the two warm-up games do we still possess that traditional strength?
Enough to beat Fiji, yes, despite Fiji looking more structured and organised than they have in the past.
They are definitely a banana skin, but first game up at Twickenham? The bookies are offering 16/1 on a Fiji win, which sounds about right.
I’d imagine that the Fijians will be targeting the Wales and Aus games as two teams who can be drawn into playing them at their own game
First upset FJ over Eng
Careful, you spilt your gin all over your keyboard x
Woah is article is awesome,it has just given the group of death our bloody idiot who wrote this article..
Let them guess who is the weapon in out time don’t make it w
Easy for them to figure out a plan to stop us..
Nadolo will spill them clean with his speed and hard hits. Needs a three tonne truck to stop Nadolo or else..
For Fiji it has recoined its so called World Rugby Cup Pool of Death to a Pool of Opportunities