Wales tackle Fiji at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on Sunday hoping to avoid a repeat of their infamous defeat to the same opponents at the 2007 event.
Wales v Fiji
Sunday 10 September
Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux
Wales 5/10 | Draw 20/1 | Fiji 17/10
On that occasion, Gareth Jenkins’ Welsh side copped a 34-38 loss in Nantes, allowing the Pacific Islanders to seal second spot in their pool and a quarterfinal date with South Africa.
Considering the current state of the 10th-ranked Wales national side, never mind the Welsh game in general, many are predicting red hot Fiji to come out trumps in this one. In fact, some are even backing Vern Cotter’s charges to go on and take top honours in Pool C.
The world number seven Flying Fijians have never been ranked higher and head into this one off the back of their phenomenal recent 30-22 win over England at Twickenham.
While that appears to be the perfect preparation for a World Cup, the fact is their element of surprise has now evaporated. Opposing sides will no longer take them as lightly as they might have, and that coupled with the tournament-ending injury sustained by star flyhalf Caleb Muntz will work against them.
While Fiji still have some supremely gifted footballers, particularly in their backline, Wales should win up front to lay the platform for a positive result.
Fiji (+4.5) 9/10.
