Discipline Critical’ for Flying Fijians

​Vodafone Flying Fijians assistant coach attack, Tabai Matson believes discipline is always critical when playing high level rugby.

Matson said this was one area which let the team down in the first two games of the 2015 Rugby World Cup – against England and Australia.

“Discipline is critical at this level. You cannot get away with things at Rugby World Cup,” the former Fijian and New Zealand international said.

“Discipline has let us down against the big teams. They consequently lead six to nine points and we end up chasing the game,” Matson said.

He predicts the Fijians would provide a tough challenge against Wales in Cardiff on Friday.

“As we build up to our next game against Wales, it’s an exciting challenge for us as the mountain just got steeper . It was a tough month and we know there is a great opportunity in front of us.”

The Crusaders assistant coach applauded the Welsh performance against England on Sunday and said this was something the Fijians could learn from.

“The individual performance in the Welsh team really stood up. That was great. We have to understand that 80 minutes of rugby is going to be crucial.

“Even though people are talking about the exclusion of Leigh Halfpenny, Wales stuck to their plan and continue to show why they have been a champion team in previous years and the reason they have been successful in the Six Nations.

“We took some notes from there. You might lose individual, and if the team is resolute you can still get the outcome.

“We just keep moving forward. We are here to play well, we are going to put up a competitive team and it will be exciting,” he said.

Number 8 Masi Matadigo believes the Welshmen would be tough.

“It will be a tough game considering that we have not won a game and playing Wales on their home turf, it will be tough,” Matadigo said.

Hooker Viliame Veikoso is among Fijians itching for revenge after Wales’ 66-0 win in the last RWC in New Zealand.

He said the consensus in the Fijian camp was to beat Wales to record our first victory in the toughest pool of the tournament.

“We have been trying our best and it is frustrating that we have not won any game,” Veikoso said.

The Fiji and Wales game kicks off on Friday at 3:45am (Fijian time).