Flying Fijians

The Naitasiri man is a threat at the breakdowns in this World Cup and this is one of the reasons England coach Steve Borthwick will try to minimize the involvement of the Fiji Water Flying Fijians loose forwards.

However, Botia is not taking it as a compliment but says he looks forward to the match.

“I heard what they said and some people asked me the same question as well so I understand what they saw so it’s something to compete so I’ll see what they have.”

Assistant coach Seremaia Bai says the team received the news this morning and their senior player, Sam, is now with his family in England.

Sireli Matavesi played rugby for Cornwall and Camborne after staying in the county following a tour rugby to the United Kingdom in 1985 and worked as a miner.

The Flying Fijians and Fiji Rugby Union say their thoughts are with the family and send their deepest condolences.

Bai also says it’s not confirmed whether Sam Matavesi will make the side for the quarterfinal against England

A converted try to Portugal in the dying stages of the match denied Fiji the win.

Since 2007 our side has failed to progress but that ended at Stade De Toulouse following its bonus point loss today.

Fiji needed a win or bonus point loss from the match to make the top eight and also sent the Wallabies and their coach Eddie Jones home.

Fiji finishes second in pool C and will play England in the third quarterfinal next Monday.

Head coach Simon Raiwalui also congratulated the Portuguese for their courageous outing.

Our side has automatically qualified with Wales and Australia from pool C.

This is after Georgia and Portugal failed to qualify for the quarter-finals and can’t gain automatic qualification for 2027 as they are on three and two points respectively with one game to play in pool C.

Wales have already reached the 2023 quarter-finals and the other place will be secured by either Australia or Fiji after the final round of pool play this weekend.

The top three teams from each group automatically qualifies for the next World Cup.

The penalty count against the national side have not hit double figures since their match against Japan on August 5th.

Fiji conceded seven penalties against Japan, England and Australia while there were nine when they played France.

Flying Fijians assistant coach Glen Jackson says the team is trying its best to minimize the penalty count.

Fiji’s brilliance at the turnover, combined with the clinical boot of Kuruvoli, saw them pick up their first win of the tournament after last week’s defeat by Wales.

Australian full-back Ben Donaldson was opportunistic early on and punished a Fiji high tackle when he converted the first opportunity of the game to give Australia a 3-0 lead after three minutes.

The Pacific Islanders sought a response through scrum-half Kuruvoli, who tied the score before converting another penalty to give his side a 6-3 lead after 20 minutes.

Simione Kuruvoli will start ahead of Frank Lomani while Josua Tuisova moves to inside center.

Levani Botia is at openside flanker with Lekima Tagitagivalu moving to blindside.

Semi Radradra shifts to the wing and will lineup against Mark Nawaqanitawase with Jiuta Wainiqolo wearing the number 14 jersey.

The tight five has been retained along with captain Waisea Nayacalevu, Ilaisa Droasese and Teti Tela.

Vilimoni Botitu will make his World Cup debut off the bench.

Fiji plays Australia at 3:45am on Monday.

Fiji are expected to enter the Saint-Etienne match on Sunday (Monday AEST) breathing fire after they fell short against Wales in their opening pool game.

The Fijians rallied from a 32-14 deficit, scoring twice in the last seven minutes before former NRL star Semi Radradra knocked on close to the line in the dying seconds, condemning his team to a 32-26 loss.

Seven players with links to Fiji are part of the Australian side which includes Suliasi Vunivalu, Marika Koroibete, Isaac Fines Leleiwasa, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Samu Kerevi, Rob Valetini and Langi Gleeson,

Fiji Water Flying Fijians number eight Viliame Mata believes it’s going to be a special occasion but their objective hasn’t changed.

“It’s just a great challenge for us to go against our fellow Fijians from the other side but it doesn’t take away the mindset, we’re going for our first win this week, that’s what our mindset is,”

Following the Flying Fijians’ 32-26 loss to Wales in their opening Rugby World Cup loss, people have taken to social media to raise their concerns over referee Mathew Carley’s inconsistent decisions.

Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui also stated in the post-match press conference yesterday that he wants consistency from match officials.
Valenitabua says they will follow a due process.