London
18 °C
Manchester
16 °C
Glasgow
18 °C
Dublin
Belfast
Washington
Denver
28 °C
Atlanta
Dallas
38 °C
Houston Texas
New Orleans
El Paso
Phoenix
Los Angeles
36 °C
29 °C
16 °C
10 °C
Fiji stick to conquerors of Australia for 'tough' Georgia Test / Photo: Francis BOMPARD - AFP
Fiji stick to conquerors of Australia for 'tough' Georgia Test
Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui stuck to a winning side on Thursday and made only one injury-enforced change in his XV to face Georgia in their World Cup Pool C match in Bordeaux.
The Fijians have their fate in their own hands with the prize a third quarter-finals appearance -- the first since 2007.
Fiji opened their World Cup with a narrow loss to Wales and followed that with an emphatic victory over Australia to move to second in Pool C with games against winless Georgia, on Saturday, and Portugal to come.
The Wallabies close out their pool campaign against Portugal on Sunday.
Raiwalui said Fiji were taking the competition "one match at a time".
"We respect each team that we play."
"There is no harder or easier game. Georgia is a very, very tough team," Raiwalui said.
"We know them quite well," he said. "We've played them quite often. They'll come out and be very physical. Set piece will be a big challenge.
"They love to play with that physicality. Something we like to do as well."
Fiji will have had a 13-day hiatus since beating Australia.
"The break came at a good time," said Raiwalui. "The boys were a little tired."
The break did not give winger Jiuta Wainiqolo, who limped off with an ankle problem just after half time against Australia, time to recover. He is replaced by Selestino Ravutaumada.
On the bench, prop Samu Tawake replaced Mesake Doge who suffered a concussion shortly after coming on against Australia.
Raiwalui ended his playing career in France, with four seasons at Racing 92, and began his coaching career guiding the pack at the same club before taking on the same role at Paris rivals Stade Francais and at Biarritz.
He said Fiji are enjoying being the second-favourite team for French fans saying it was partly due to the number of Fijians who play in France.
"We feel the support. You can hear it at the stadiums. We have a real connection with France," he said.
"It has a lot to do with the way the boys play and the spirit they play in."
Team (15-1):
Ilaisa Droasese; Selestino Ravutaumada, Waisea Nayacalevu (capt), Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra; Teti Tela, Simione Kuruvoli; Viliame Mata, Levani Botia, Lekima Tagitagivalu; Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Isoa Nasilasila; Luke Tagi, Samuel Matavesi, Eroni Mawi
Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Peni Ravai, Samu Tawake, Temo Mayanavanua, Albert Tuisue, Frank Lomani, Vilimoni Botitu, Vinaya Habosi
Coach: Simon Raiwalui (FIJ)
H.Zampino--INP
