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Matavesi: Fiji are no longer a one trick pony

Samuel Matavesi of Fiji arrives at the stadium prior to the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Fiji and Georgia at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on September 30, 2023 in Bordeaux, France. (Photo by Pauline Ballet - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Northampton hooker Sam Matavesi believes Fiji are proving they are no longer a one trick pony and have the ability to limit their attacking horizons to dig themselves out of trouble as they prepare to clinch a Rugby World Cup quarter-final place against Portugal next weekend in France.

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Against Georgia, the Flying Fijians had to come back from 0-9 down in the first half to register a 17-12 win after one of their most stuttering performances this year. The line out misfunctioned which reflected on both Matavesi and the rest of the unit and a repeat against a Portugal side that caused Australia real problems could be costly. Fiji just need one more point to ensure a last eight place and eject double former champions Australia from the Cup.

Matavesi told the Fiji Times: “People think of Fiji and they think of fast-flowing and scoring tries from our own tryline that are incredible, but I think as we’ve seen at this World Cup, to win these games, it’s set-piece first. Our line-out wasn’t good enough, we were losing collisions, but we still won.

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“In the past with Fiji in these games we’ve lost, we haven’t found a way to come back, so to actually come back and win is a massive credit to this team.

Fixture
Rugby World Cup
Fiji
23 - 24
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Portugal
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“I don’t want to take any credit away from Georgia, they were outstanding, but we need to give Portugal the utmost respect that they deserve. If we can get ourselves right then I think we’ll be fine, but obviously (it’s about) us doing that.

“If we had got five points (against Georgia) we would have been through (to the quarter-finals) and that’s an ideal world, but it hasn’t come to that so we still have to turn up, beat Portugal, give them the full respect and we’ll see. Everyone is a bit frustrated, the performance wasn’t good enough, we know that, for a lot of reasons, but we still won and we still have a massive game to get through to the quarter-finals.

“We were sort of losing the contact in defence against Georgia, we needed to start winning some collisions, start going forward, we were hitting quite close to their ruck and then going wide without really earning it, and it was easy to defend.”

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Brij 489 days ago

Fiji please get a LINEOUT COACH like llatia tuisese or ifiremi tawake if they are still available.

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RedWarrior 2 hours ago
The reason given by Steve Borthwick for latest England setback

So England are allowed to have a tsunami whinge fest about the ref but if an Irish fan points out that some decisions hurt Ireland also they are being petulant.

Honestly some English supporters are all politeness until they lose then the claws and fangs come out.

Ok here we go, not complaints just pointing out where England got away with roul play:

1: M Smiths headbutt on James Lowe that started the fracas with Stewart. If the ref spots that in time then thats a second yellow if not a straight red for Smith. Probably worth another 14 points with England gassed so a 41-10 final scoreline?

2: Itoje's several stamps on Hansens instep in a clear attempt to damage metatarsals. Straight red or if he is lucky, 10 in the bin.

3. Currys block on Baird to create a gap that Smith used to break the line. Penalty and possession for Ireland deep in England 22 with score at 0:0.

4: The correct decision for the Cunningham South dangerous tackle was a yellow. Lowe blew it by confronting him. The ref didn't give South or Lowe a yellow. The ref couldn't give Lowe a yellow anyway as the TMO would have informed him that m Smith alone started the previosu fracas and its not unreasonable for a player to react to being headbutted.


One last thing missing from English analysis

How is coming over to Dublin acting like you own the place, committing filthy cowardly off the ball cheap shots working out for you? I mean you clearly dont care that we think your team are a crowd of a$$holes but...... rugby wise, how is riling the Irish team to focus and get the best out of themselves against such unpleasant opposition working for you on the scoreboard?


Food for thought old boy!!!!

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