Fiji's Isao Neivua. Photo / Reuters
CASTELSARRASIN - Fiji insist that beating Australia is not mission impossible as they plot an unlikely place in the rugby World Cup quarterfinals.
The Fijians are second in pool B with maximum points from their two games and ahead of Wales who they will face in what is
shaping up to be a make-or-break encounter in Nantes on September 29.
But they believe that before taking on the Welsh, they can deliver a bodyblow to the Australians in Montpellier on Sunday.
"We can beat Australia. Any team can beat anyone at this World Cup. Australia can be beaten if we work hard, if we play together as a team, if we defend well like we have been defending," said lock forward Kele Leawere.
"If we finish second in the pool we will face South Africa in the quarterfinals, but if we beat Australia we could come up against Tonga (currently in second place ahead of England in pool A)."
Even though Fiji are expected to rest many of their first choice players, with one eye on the game with Wales, skipper Moses Raulini said they will still be going for the win against the two-time champions Wallabies.
"We are not looking at throwing the game," said Raulini.
"But we still need to improve our discipline and handling. If we make the same mistakes against the next two teams they are going to punish us."
Meanwhile, Fiji pivot Nicky Little is hoping that having to play two matches in the space of five days last week (Japan and Canada) will not catch up with his teammates.
"It's been quite hard playing these two games in a week. I wasn't impressed with that but tier two nations like us have to take it on the chin," Little said.
"I'd like to see all the teams in the World Cup do it, but that's an office job that needs to be sorted out by the officials."
- AFP
