Wallabies v Fiji: A War-k In The Park
September 23rd 2007 02:00
Venue and time
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier,
Sunday, September 23. 10:30pm (AEST)
Telecast Times
Live on Channel 10 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane from 10pm,
Delayed coverage in Adelaide and Perth from 10:00pm local time.
LIVE on FOX SPORTS from 10:30pm.
Replay on Monday 24th September at 7:00am in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
This should be an interesting match up. Australia is putting forward their A team.
Fiji...is not.
Their earlier test match this year in Perth is nothing to guage by as Fiji did not have access to their A grade players as the majority could not get out of their European Club contracts. Fijian players have to head overseas (to make up a small team known as the NZ All Blacks...and please excuse the smily but...it's appropriate
Fiji may be considered a second tier team but that's only due to their lack of resources. If the FRU had access to the ARU's coffers (From my understanding they already have the same bureacracy at play)...it would be a different calibre ball game.
The Wallabies are without Larkham, which is bad enough but even if he was match fit, earlier reports had stated that he would be 'rested' for this match anyway. The last thing Larkham's already battered to the bone body needs, is to be squashed between a ruck and a hard Fijian face.
...and Mortlock may be Stirling by name but not steel by nature. He's out injured too after dislocating his shoulder during the Wales match. The man really must learn to slide the try not fly the try. You know? Ground the ball.
Nevertheless, the Wallabies have a good Forward pack psyched for this match and a pretty good backline because believe it or not sportsfans...this will be a war-k in the park.
The Fiji A team is scary. The one thing this team is renowned for, is their "predictable unpredictability". They rely on phases of unstructured play..and you can't properly prepare for that. All you can do...all the Wallabis will need to do is NOT MAKE MISTAKES.
Fiji has already rattled Australian nerves by picking a "below strength team", and the Wallabies apparently have had to change their game plan. They will be sticking to tried and structured and conservative to counter attack the pressure the Fijians will heap on them.
The Wallabies main focus will be to deny Fiji possession. And be very careful of their kicking tactics. The Fijian backs aren't kick-hot but they are very fast and they're cunning.
The Fijians have nothing to lose. I'm not saying they'll win this match but they will take prisoners and penalties.
As much as I do love Fiji and truly hope they live up to the hype...I also want them to lose with dignity intact.
Go
The Wallabies!
The Wallabies!
from Rugby Heaven
Form
The Wallabies revenged their 2005 defeat at Millennium Style in fine style on Saturday with an impressive 32-20 victory in front of the Cardiff faithful. But coach John Connolly will look for an improved second-half performance against Fiji, after his side was out-scored 7-17 by Wales after the break.
Australia easily accounted for the Fijians 49-0 in June but faces a vastly different line-up in Montpellier and will need to pay close attention to the Fijian's potent attack.
Fiji survived a late scare in its previous Pool B clash against Canada to register a 29-16 victory - its second bonus-point triumph in as many matches.
The Fijians have played some electrifying rugby in the tournament to date, but must eradicate the basic errors which plagued them against Japan and Canada, if they hope to keep pace with the Wallabies
Australia easily accounted for the Fijians 49-0 in June but faces a vastly different line-up in Montpellier and will need to pay close attention to the Fijian's potent attack.
Fiji survived a late scare in its previous Pool B clash against Canada to register a 29-16 victory - its second bonus-point triumph in as many matches.
The Fijians have played some electrifying rugby in the tournament to date, but must eradicate the basic errors which plagued them against Japan and Canada, if they hope to keep pace with the Wallabies
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