The hype is building around Fiji, with England next on their list
Isoa Nasilasila has admitted that Fiji are trying to keep perspective amid growing expectations over what they can achieve at the Rugby World Cup.
The Pacific Islanders visit Twickenham on Saturday in their final warm-up match before facing Wales in a highly anticipated Pool C clash on September 10 in Bordeaux.
Four years ago, Japan established themselves as everyone’s favourite second team, knocking off Scotland and Ireland with a swashbuckling style of play.
With the Brave Blossoms in decline, the role of giant killers is expected to fall to Fiji, but second row Nasilasila stressed that his team were remaining grounded.
“There is a lot of a hype around us but we are trying to control that individually and as a team,” Nasilasila said.
“We want to stay humble and do our job on and off the field. Hopefully it will then all come together on the day. Our game has definitely evolved. We are trying to get the technicalities of rugby in there.
“We want to create something rather than just going straight to the backs, off-load off-load. We want to build something first and play from there.”
Fijian football at the home of England rugby…
– Fiji got the round ball out for part of their captain's run at Twickenham on Friday just hours before the All Blacks took on the Springboks at English Rugby HQ. #FijiRugby #ENGvFIJ #SummerNationsSeries #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/4BBLl2pRBs
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 25, 2023
If they haven’t sorted their set piece out then a Japan vs SA fast ball style will run rings round the ENG who are repeatedly beasted in training and hit game day knackered 😴