The Wallabies could be without two key players ahead of Monday’s World Cup clash which Fiji says it will treat as if it is a Rugby World Cup “final”
Following their first-up 32-26 loss to Wales, the Fijians can’t afford another defeat when they meet the Australians in a Group C clash on Monday morning (AEST) in Saint-Etienne.
“Australia is our final now” Fiji’s assistant coach Daryl Gibson told The Fiji Times.
“We know that we need to beat Australia to stay in the competition. That’s a pretty simple formula.
“We’ve proven we can compete against Tier 1 nations and we proved that against … Wales.
“We have a big task, but it’s not over. Nothing is impossible.”
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Helping Fiji’s bid to beat Australia is an apparent hamstring injury suffered by powerful Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou, who starred in his side’s 35-15 weekend win over Georgia.
It was Australia’ first win under Eddie Jones since the start of his second stint of his second stint as Wallabies coach in January.
Tupou didn’t train with the Wallabies on Wednesday, and, according to multiple reports, will be “monitored” in the next few days before a decision is made on whether he plays against Fiji.
“He didn’t train today but that’s not unusual for Taniela – don’t worry,” Wallabies assistant coach Jason Ryles told reporters.
James Slipper, meanwhile, is no certainty to return from a foot injury that sidelined him for the World Cup opener.
The Fijians will know what to expect from a Jones-coached team, with their coach Simon Raiwalui have been guided by the Wallabies mentor at Saracens.
“He was one of the best coaches in the world technically, so I’m sure he will come up with some game plan to play against us,” Raiwalui said.
“We’re going to have to execute, we’re going to have to play our game plan, we’re going to have to do it to our best abilities.
“We’ve just got to play our style and try to impose that against a very good team.”
Springboks great Jean de Villiers said the Fijians were capable of beating the Wallabies.
“It’s doable,” the 2007 World Cup winner said on the Boks Office podcast.
“I think for Australia, and probably for world rugby, it was good to see Australia getting their first win under Eddie again.
Jones names Wallabies team for Georgia | 01:24
“That will build their confidence, (but) I am still not convinced they will be title contenders and even against Georgia, Georgia put up a decent fight.
“We know what the Fijians can do. If you can put them under pressure at scrum time and set phases, (that will be key). It will be a good game. It’ll be a competitive game.”
De Villiers said the Wallabies needed to ensure that blockbusting winger Marika Koroibete was heavily involved in the contest.
“You want guys like Koroibete in the game. You want him touching the ball as much as possible,” he said.
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