Fiji can qualify for their second ever quarter-final providing they beat Wales. Photo / Reuters
NANTES - Fiji enter their do or die clash with Wales in their final World Cup group match with the weight of a for once united Fijian people claimed their coach Ilivasi Tabua on Friday.
Tabua's side can qualify for only their second ever quarter-final - the first
was way back in the inaugural tournament in 1987 - should they beat the Welsh, who will progress themelves if they overcome the Pacific Islanders.
Two-time champions Australia will finish top of the group whatever happens leaving the runners-up with a quarter-final against the South Africans.
Tabua rejected suggestions that the volatile political situation in Fiji since the coup d'etat last December was weighing on the players.
"No I would say that it is more the domestic problems one has at home," said Tabua.
"Rugby is probably the only thing that unites the Fijian people.
"We know that people drop everything and turn on their television to wathc the matches.
"But that doesn't worry the players, because they are here to do a job."
Tabua, who has guided the side to victories over Japan and Canada and a defeat by the Wallabies, said that the Fijians would focus on what he believes is where they are stronger than the Welsh - at fly-half and centre.
"We are itching to get the game on," said Tabua.
"The Welsh have always been strong up front and our opportunity to win comes from our backs.
"We are going to concentrate on exploiting what I see as our strengths in the midfield."
Tabua rejected the assertion that the Fijians were simply too cavalier to hope to reach the last eight.
"I think we have discovered a perfect balance," said Tabua.
"Before the players found it difficult to keep control of the ball.
"But now we have a more structured game.
"Our instinct is still to pass the ball around but if things start going badly, we are capable of reverting to a more disciplined tighter game.
"Everything is possible, really. I saw the Welsh against the Australians, and Wales came back really strongly in the second-half.
"It will be hard, we are not taking this task lightly. We come from the Pacific Islands and we have nothing to lose."
- AFP
