“It’s has been a great preparation with the mix of players in Super Rugby and European connections, the lead up games in the Pacific Cup was to their cohesion,” Tabua said.
Ex-Rugby World Cup coach Ilivasi
Tabua.
It is great to be at Number 7, but what matters most is how we go through this Rugby World Cup (RWC) says ex-Rugby World Cup coach Ilivasi Tabua.
Speaking from Australia yesterday, the former Wallaby, nicknamed the Human Skewer and Flying Fijian, was coach during Fiji’s finest hour at the 2007 RWC, in Nantes when in a ‘winner-takes-all’ encounter to decide who would join Pool B rivals Australia in the quarter-finals, stunned Wales 38-34.
“It’s has been a great preparation with the mix of players in Super Rugby and European connections, the lead up games in the Pacific Cup was to their cohesion,” Tabua said.
“It showed good momentum beating England was good confidence heading in to this year’s RWC.
“We have to develop the team holistically – physical, mental and spiritual. The tripartite being to take on the challenges we face.
“Having noqu malo Talatala Jioji Rinakama is a great plus as he played and coached at high level, help with having to address issues off the field and personal.
“There is an outlet for players to talk to in confidence and this does help them focus on the task at hand.”
Tabua initially roped in Rinakama for the same role in 2007 when he was head coach for the same mission.
“We need to be disciplined and have fluid execution of the facets of the game in set pieces; restarts and breakdown,” he said.
“Defence has to be paramount. We can attack from anywhere and our aerial game is superb.
This is the fifth RWC that Fiji is pooled with Wales. Fiji beat Wales 38-34 in 2007 Rugby World Cup. Wales walloped Fiji 66-0 in 2011, beat Fiji 23- 13 in 2015 and 29-17 in 2019 and they are in Pool C this year.
Tabua’s 2023 RWC prediction:
“With the Top 4 only two will go to the next level meaning Ireland, France, New Zealand and South Africa would be a very interesting World Cup. Ireland looks good to me.
“You never know what’s on the day. Are they ready to win week-in, week out?”
On how the Springboks’ 7-1 split on the bench, Tabua says, “Io (yes), 7-1 forwards -back because they want to be physical for 80 minutes; it’s horses for courses and how you want to take on the opposition.”
Feedback: karalaini.waqanidrola@fijisun.com.fj
