Rugby World Cup – Fiji profile: Full squad, head coach, key player, prediction and odds

A closer look at John McKee’s team ahead of Japan 2019

Ever the entertainers, Fiji head to the 2019 Rugby World Cup with perhaps their most complete side ever.

With explosive runners right through the side, John McKee has some of the most naturally-gifted rugby players on the planet from which to choose. Viliame Mata, Leone Nakarawa and Semi Radradra are among the world’s very best, and Peceli Yato and Josua Tuisova aren’t too shy, either.

With the halves perhaps too often the crux for Fiji, Ben Volavola has come on hugely as a fly-half, while Frank Lomani’s accuracy at nine is welcome. The set piece should be stronger, too, with Eroni Mawi promising and Campese Ma’afu and Manasa Saulo experienced. Peni Ravai is a prop who has played international sevens, which should give some idea of his skill set, though he’s held his own in the Top 14 for a number of seasons now.

The second and back rows are full of ball players, and Fiji are flush with options in the outside backs even after the retirement of Nemani Nadolo.

Wales, Australia and Georgia will provide stern tests in Pool D, but McKee will back his side to beat the latter in what should be a fervent clash of contrasting rugby flavours, and victory over the French (in France, no less) last year has given the Fijians confidence they can mix it with the bigger boys.

Squad

Forwards: Mesulame Dolokoto, Samuel Matavesi, Ratu Vere Vugakoto, Campese Ma’afu, Eroni Mawi, Peni Ravai, Manasa Saulo, Kalivati Tawake, Tevita Cavubati, Leone Nakarawa, Api Ratuniyarawa, Tevita Ratuva, Semi Kunatani, Viliame Mata, Mosese Voka, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Peceli Yato.

Backs: Frank Lomani, Nikola Matawalu, Henry Seniloli, Levani Botia, Jale Vatubua, Ben Volavola, Vereniki Goneva, Filipo Nakosi, Waisea Nayacalevu, Semi Radradra, Josua Tuisova, Joshua Matavesi, Alivereti Veitokani, Kini Murimurivalu.

Head Coach

John McKee. Coaching Fiji is never particularly easy, with a squad flung far and wide often assembled for much too short a time, and off-field meddlings and problems all too prominent. McKee, therefore, has done an excellent job, guiding Fiji to that triumph over France and improving all who have passed through his squad.

The New Zealander’s charges have looked a little short of their best in the lead-up to the tournament, but he’ll be confident they put it together in Japan.

Key Player

Ben Volavola will be key to Fiji’s World Cup campaign at fly-half (Getty)

Ben Volavola. There is no doubting the ability of Fiji’s squad in broken field and the potential ferocity of their defence, but their World Cup hopes may rest on the comparatively slender shoulders of Sydney-born pivot Ben Volavola. Somewhat maligned four years ago, he has bounced around the globe since and further honed his game, making fewer errors and learning to better appreciate the simplicities of the game.

With such potency throughout the side, Fiji hardly require a maverick at fly-half. If Volavola can be the eye in the middle of a particularly destructive storm, Fiji can beat anyone.

Past Record

Australia/New Zealand 1987 – quarter-finalists (one win)
Europe 1991 – eliminated in the pool stages (zero wins)
Wales 1999 – eliminated at the play-off stage (two wins)
Australia 2003 – eliminated in the pool stages (two wins)
France 2007 – quarter-finalists (three wins)
New Zealand 2011 – eliminated in the pool stages (one win)
England 2015 – eliminated in the pool stages (one win)

Prediction

Australia’s resurgence has decreased Fiji’s chances of a quarter-final berth, but facing the Wallabies first-up is no bad thing. If Fiji catch the Australians cold, they should blow away Uruguay and survive the rigours of Georgia to advance to the quarter-finals.

Fixtures

• Saturday 21 September – Australia vs Fiji (5.45am), Sapporo
• Wednesday 25 September – Fiji vs Uruguay (5.45am), Kamaishi
• Thursday 3 October – Georgia vs Fiji (6.15am), Higashiosaka
• Sunday 13 October – Wales vs Fiji (10.45am), Oita

Odds

Fiji to win the World Cup: 500/1