Fiji are preparing to take on double champions Ayustralia. Photo / Reuters
CARDIFF - Fiji coach Ilie Tabua said his team have nothing to lose against Australia and Wales where one more win will put them in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1987.
Fiji survived a nervous second half to defeat Canada 29-16 at the Millennium
Stadium to follow on from their opening 35-31 win over Japan.
But now the hard work begins with double champions Australia next up on Sunday in Montpellier before a potential do-or-die clash with Wales in Nantes on September 29.
"We have nothing to lose in those matches," said Tabua.
"For us, winning the first two games was our way of creating a platform for the rest of the tournament. They were always the most important.
"Now we play Australia and Wales and we'll have to throw the house as well as the sink at them."
Skipper and scrum-half Moses Raulini admitted that Fiji have plenty of work to do if they are to make the last eight after they lost their shape and composure in the second half on Sunday which almost allowed Canada to snatch victory.
Only some last-ditch defence on the try-line in the dying moments as well as a 100m breakaway try by full-back Kameli Ratuvou gave Fiji their flattering, winning scoreline.
"It's a great feeling to have five points and to be in second place in the table," said the 32-year-old, who is appearing in his third World Cup.
"But against Australia it will be very tough. Any little mistakes and they will punish us. We have to work on our discipline and our skills.
"I was a bit disappointed when we gave away penalties in our own half. But I think we learnt a lot from the way we defended in the last 10 minutes."
Fiji will have to decide whether or not to rest players against the Wallabies in order to keep them fresh for the match against Wales which they would have a better chance of winning.
"Every game is an important challenge," said Tabua, who is happy to have a week's rest before the game in Montpellier in contrast to the four days between their clashes with Japan and Canada.
"Against Australia it will be a very different nucleus. We have a squad of 30 to challenge the others in their positions."
- AFP
