So here it is. After months of posturing, the Rugby World Cup is finally here. Excitement will reach fever pitch as the opening game on Friday night sees hosts England take on the banana skin that is Fiji.
The Pacific Islanders have produced some fine World Cup upsets in the past, but can they do it on opening night against the host nation? It would probably be their most famous result ever. The pressure on England will be heavier than they’ve ever experienced – can they deal with it?
ENGLAND
The hosts stick with the same starting line-up as the one that beat Ireland two weeks ago, which means Ben Morgan is given the chance to get some more miles in his legs ahead of Billy Vunipola. Geoff Parling, who noticeably steadied the line-out in that game, is also preferred to Joe Launchbury.
George Ford continues at fly-half despite whispers that the more pragmatic Owen Farrell might be preferred in the face of the Fijian flair, but with Joseph, Watson and May all also selected it looks like England might fight fire with fire. Brad Barritt again partners Joseph in the midfield and will be in charge of shackling the dangerous Fijian backs.
Much responsibility will fall on the front five, who will look to exploit the one potential weakness of this Fijian side – their scrum. Dan Cole and Joe Marler had a fairly rough ride against France in particular during the warm-up games, and will be keen to put a marker down ahead of the greater challenges to come.
One to watch: Jonny May
Nobody quite expected what happened against Ireland, but it must have been such a relief for England fans to see May finally producing the goods on the international stage. There’s been much talk of his excellence in training – and there was of course that try against NZ last year – but he has been consistently good for the first time in these warm-up games. If the match opens up this weekend – as it well might – he will be one that reaps the benefits.
FIJI
The Fijians have announced a line-up that is brimming with the kind of show-stopping, free-running mavericks that we have come to expect from the Pacific Islanders in the past. They are on an unbeaten run of five games and have been steadily improving this year – they are most certainly not here to just make up the numbers, and are a very real part of the pool of death.
Former Gloucester stalwart Akapusi Qera captains the side from the flank and is part of an experienced back-row with an average age of over 30. The magnificent Leone Nakawara packs down in the second row, and while the front row may well face a rough ride from the English at the set-piece, they do at least have a fair amount of experience having started the last five games in a row.
As ever, though, the most exciting part of the Fijian line-up comes in the backs. Both wingers Nemani Nadolo and Waisea Nayacalevu tower at six foot five, and both possess pace and skill that belie their size. There is more danger in the centres where Leicester’s Verniki Goneva can be found, while Metuisela Talebula at fullback has finished as the Top 14’s top try-scorer as recently as two years ago.
One to watch: Ben Volavola
At the very pinnacle of rugby, to win the big matches you need a commanding performance from your fly-half. It is an area where Fiji have often struggled, not producing the kind of talent that they have further out in the back-line. Much responsibility will rest on Ben Volavola, then, the Waratahs fly-half who has shown glimpses (see below) in his fledgling international career that he could well be the answer. He undoubtedly has the flair and vision, but does he have the control? We are about to find out.
PREDICTION
Fiji are reportedly targeting the Wales game as the one they really believe they can win, but don’t be fooled by that. It is the opening game of a Rugby World Cup, under lights at Twickenham – they will be fired up for this. They have enough talent at their disposal to hurt England, and while they have made great strides in areas that have traditionally been weaknesses (such as the scrum and discipline) they have not played a team as strong as England in these areas for some time.
If their scrum gets close to parity, they will be in this game til the end. I suspect, however, that come 60 minutes or so, England will empty a bench that will not weaken them – and the same cannot really be said for Fiji. Expect an entertaining game, and for the hosts to pull away in the last quarter. England by 12.
By Jamie Hosie
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Single figure score at the end……………… To either side
My heart says England….my head says it’s too close to call but what a cracking game to start RWC 2015.
Bonus points may well decide the group so 4 tries and 8 point win please England :)
Try bonus could prove important for England but need to secure the win first against a very competetive Fiji side. Im hoping LBP for Fiji wont be significant come the business end of the group should we win this game
Col there aren’t bonus points in the RWC it will come down to who beat who and then points difference.
1.1.2 Match points system
The following number of Match points will be awarded for each pool phase Match:
Win 4 points
Draw 2 points
Loss 0 points
4 or more tries 1 point
Loss by 7 points or less 1 point
Yup sorry got that wrong! Well that makes things very interesting!
Tonga
Georgia?? Prediction???
Brutal forwards battle
Georgia by 8
Well if we don’t be Fiji we can probably say goodbye to getting out of the group so it’s a must win in my book.I fear we may be too hyped up and it will be error ridden but I think we will just scrape home.Surely we are favourites with the bookies?
Massive favorites
One has England at 1/50 and Fiji at 15/1.
Almost worth a fiver on Fiji
I’m not going to make a score prediction,it’s too close to call. If we come out of it with a win and all the players in one piece then that’ll do me!
I hope we don’t try to ‘fight fire with fire’ – that would just play directly into Fiji’s hands
Keep it close and tight, don’t let the Fijians have the ball and if they do get it, don’t allow them to get their off-load game going. Kick strategically and put pressure on their line out.
Don’t try and get all fancy with elaborate back moves. Keep it simple, re-cycle quickly and gaps will appear
At least that’s what we should do. I have horrible images of us flinging the ball around and trying to match the Fijian flair with a result similar to that experienced by Wales in 2007
It gonna be a wet one so that plays into our hands as far as i’m concerned.
Starve them of ball and make those exciting backs defend all day
This is why I though we might start with Wiggy and Faz instead of Youngs and Ford. So we could have a better strategic kicking game first 50, and then bring on Youngs an Ford to move them around a bit more.
We need to keep our structure and our set-piece working at it’s highest level to win this game, and we also need to keep our discipline.
‘ Fiji are reportedly targeting the Wales game ‘ ? this is the start of the WC & I believe Fiji will want to put a mark down whoever they are playing, you get 4 points for a win against England or Australia too you know !!
My head says England, but my heart is all over place prediction wise.
Look at the last few years. Injury ravaged sides have beaten Aus and Wal twice. Twickenham should be a massive factor.
I know people keep going on about the lack of caps, but I wonder how we compare to Wales in the last world cup and most thought they were unlucky not to get the final.
Still you never know how people will take the pressure and the emotion of the event. Some may crumble but others will rise to the occasion and perform better than we thought possible.
Fiji by 5
Dai, I suspect a little bias here….wonder who you will be supporting on the night & the rest of the tournament ?
Hi Col. Will be supporting Rugby of which I am sure there will plenty. Not let convinced that England have a game plan on how they want to play and that is my concern, and the lack of caps. I really want to see England and Wales to qualify from this group but see Fiji and not Australia as the fly in the ointment.
The more technical team, in England, will come away with it in the end. I expect a tough game, will be a cracker
England by 15
My prediction is England will win, and likely get a bonus point. However, my bet365 double says Fiji to win and Wales so I can get the £500 :D (Barely double ur money betting England & Wales :p)
However, If Fiji can keep it close and avoid letting away a bonus point i’d be very happy
Sphincter spasm time for England – I hope!! Pew pew!
Kitchen sink throwing scatalogical first half followed by a dingdong.
Fiji by 1 – lol – Cometh the hour, cometh the man – centre stage!?! – stage fright!?!????????
DDD
“Pacific not Aran!”