It will be exciting to see Fiji play Australia in Cardiff this week. Where is Cardiff? Cardiff (
i/ˈkɑrdɪf/; Welsh: Caerdydd [kairˈdiːð, kaˑɨrˈdɨːð]) is the capital and largest city in Wales and the tenth largest city in the United Kingdom.[2] The city is the country's chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for Wales. So I expect Fiji's PM Bainimarama will find some excuse to travel to Cardiff to watch Fiji play. I am sure there will be some fine Methodist singing from the spectators.Rugby World Cup: Wallabies and Fiji ready to entertain in Cardiff
Updated
With Australia and Fiji pledging to stick to their traditions of attacking rugby, Cardiff should be in for a cracking Rugby World Cup contest when the Pool A rivals clash at the Millennium Stadium on Thursday morning.
The Wallabies, winners of both previous World Cups played in Britain, finally get their campaign under way six days into the tournament and will be strong favourites to start with a win over the Pacific Islanders.
After Japan's victory over the Springboks on Saturday, however, no one is taking anything for granted and Fiji showed enough in its defeat against England to suggest that it is capable of an upset if everything comes together.
Playing under a closed roof should facilitate the famed running game of both sides, even if some players in the first two matches in Cardiff have complained that the humidity can make the ball slippery.
Australia coach Michael Cheika has long made it clear that the Wallabies will never play conservative rugby on his watch,whatever the conditions.
"That's the way we play, to play with attack," Cheika said on Monday.
"It's part of our identity. We're not going to change our ways just because it's a World Cup."
Australia will aim to unleash the likes of full-back Israel Folau, but first it must secure the ball. To that end, Cheika has selected twin openside flankers in David Pocock and Michael Hooper.
The last time the pair started together was in Australia's August victory over the All Blacks in Sydney to secure the Rugby Championship.
"I'm not trying to claim there is any brilliant rocket science behind it," Cheika added. "You just have two very good players."
Fiji has some potent attacking weapons itself, not least hulking winger Nemani Nadolo, who the Australians know very well from Super Rugby.
Regardless of the threat with ball in hand, however, Nadolo or fly half Ben Volavola must make the most of any points on offer from the kicking tee.
Flanker Dominiko Waqaniburotu has been ruled out of the match after being suspended for a dangerous tackle against England and coach John McKee has made three other changes to freshen up his pack.
"Now it's important we pick up a win," said lock Tevita Cavubati.
"We need to enjoy it as well, because that is when we express ourselves most. We don't want to go into our shells now. We also know that one upset will change the pool altogether."
Teams:
- Australia: 1-Scott Sio, 2-Stephen Moore, 3-Sekope Kepu, 4-Kane Douglas, 5-Rob Simmons, 6-Scott Fardy, 7-Michael Hooper, 8-David Pocock, 9-Will Genia, 10-Bernard Foley, 11-Rob Horne, 12-Matt Giteau, 13-Tevita Kuridrani, 14-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 15-Israel Folau.
Replacements: 16-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17-James Slipper, 18-Greg Holmes, 19-Will Skelton, 20-Dean Mumm, 21-Nick Phipps, 22- Matt Toomua, 23-Kurtley Beale.
Fiji: 1-Campese Ma'afu, 2-Talemaitoga Tuapati, 3-Manasa Saulo, 4-Tevita Cavubati, 5-Leone Nakarawa, 6-Peceli Yato, 7-Akapusi Qera (captain), 8-Netani Talei; 9-Nikola Matawalu, 10-Ben Volavola, 11-Nemani Nadolo, 12-Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 13-Vereniki Goneva, 14-Waisea Nayacalevu, 15-Metuisela Talebula
Replacements: 16.-Viliame Veikoso, 17-Peni Ravai, 18-Isei Colati, 19-Nemia Soqeta, 20-Malakai Ravulo, 21-Nemia Kenatale, 22-Joshua Matavesi, 23-Asaeli Tikoirotuma.- Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
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