The 2015 Rugby World Cup begins on Friday with hosts England facing underdogs and fan favourites Fiji. Many people are expecting a classic and hopefully this match will be able to set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
Build up
England come into to this match having drawn 1-1 in a series with France and beaten Ireland in Twickenham. Fiji played one warm-up match and destroyed Pool D side Canada 47-18. The South Pacific team will come into the World Cup with confidence having created some surprising results in the past World Cups. While the English outfit are looking stronger than ever by pulling off some great results against Ireland and France. Many people are expecting the hosts to cruise past the Flying Fijians but they can’t be too confident against a very strong Fijian team.
The teams
Fiji: Fiji have picked a very strong team to face the hosts. They have included on form Crusaders player Nemani Nadolo on the wing who will pose an extreme threat to the English wings in both offense and defense. Akapusi Qera will captain the very exciting side with other star players like Leone Nakarawa and Nikola Matawalu. These players are quite able to capitalise if England don’t show up.
Here is the team in full:
Forwards
1: Campese Ma’afu
2: Sunia Kota
3: Manasa Saulo
4: Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
5: Leone Nakarawa
6: Dominiko Waqaniburotu
7: Akapusi Qera (c)
8: Sakiusa Masi Matadigo
Backs
15: Metuisela Talebula
14: Waisea Nayacalevu
13: Vereniki Goneva
12: Gabiriele Lovobalavu
11: Nemani Nadolo
10: Ben Volavola
9: Nikola Matawalu
Replacements
16: Tuapati Talemaitoga
17: Peni Ravai
18: Isei Colati
19: Tevita Cavubati
20: Peceli Yato
21: Nemia Kenatale
22: Joshua Matavesi
23: Aseli Tikoirotuma.
England: England come into the tournament with a full strength side having been lucky not to have star men injured in the build up. The world no.4 team are second favourites for the grand prize and aren’t taking any chances against the South Pacific outfit. Lancaster has picked a full strength squad and has left big hitters Mako and Billy Vunipola and Sam Burgess on the bench. The experienced English side should be able to beat the Fijians but will need a flawless performance to keep them out of the game for the full 80 minutes.
Here is the team in full:
Forwards
1. Joe Marler
2. Tom Youngs
3. Dan Cole
4. Geoff Parling
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Tom Wood
7. Chris Robshaw (Capt.)
8. Ben Morgan
Backs
15. Mike Brown
14. Anthony Watson
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Brad Barritt
11. Jonny May
10. George Ford
9. Ben Youngs
Replacements
16. Rob Webber
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Kieran Brookes
19. Joe Launchbury
20. Billy Vunipola
21. Richard Wigglesworth
22. Owen Farrell
23. Sam Burgess
-Admin Paul
Munster Haka 