Samoa and Fiji prepare to do battle up front

Samoa and Fiji are under no illusions as to the importance of winning their pool D match at Eden Park on Sunday to keep their Rugby World Cup dreams alive in what is expected to be a battle of the forwards for Pacific island bragging rights.

"We're playing against another island team so it's going to be a full crowd out there,” Samoa captain Mahonri Schwalger said. “It's a big game for our campaign as well. At the moment we're only worried about ourselves and what we need to do on Sunday."

Samoa have made just three changes to the starting XV that met Wales on 18 September. Tusi Pisi comes in at fly half after receivng a knock during Samoa’s opening match against Namibia and was then a late withdrawal in the match against Wales. Taiasina Tuifua reclaims the starting spot at blindside flanker while prop Census Johnston replaces Anthony Perenise.

While Samoa’s hopes of a quarter-final berth were somewhat dimmed following their disappointing 17-10 loss to Wales last week, assistant coach Tom Coventry believes his team have the required two big matches left in them, to progress through the pool stages, starting with Fiji on Sunday before they take on defending world champions South Africa in their final pool match.

“That's reality for us at the World Cup,” he said. “If we want to be quarter-finalists we have to win the next two games. I think the equation is pretty simple for us. The first step is getting past Fiji.”

Forwards shake-up

Fiji have made five changes to the team that lost 49-3 to South Africa, with the biggest shake-up in the forward pack following the suspension of flanker Dominiko Maiwiriwiri Waqaniburotu. However, coach Samu Domoni has faith in the depth of his squad.

"It's a sad case that he's not here,” he said. “But the guys that are here will carry out the job for us."

Seko Kalou replaces Wame Lewaravu in the second row and the flying Fijians will line up with a new back row with Netani Edward Talei, Mala Ravulo and Sisa Koyamaibole replacing the suspended Waqaniburotu, Akapusi Qera and Sakiusa Matadigo. Qera is the only one of the forwards dropping out to be named on the bench.

Veteran fly half Nicky Little is the only change in the back line, with Domoni banking on the experience of his fly half to help guide the team in what will be his 70th Test appearance.

“It's a pressure game,” the coach said. “He's comfortable in that area from the first minute.”

The Pacific island neighbours are well aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses and both sides agree the key will be the battle of the forwards.

"For us, it's going to be won up front,” Samoa’s Tusi Pisi said. “If we can get good go-forward ball and our backs can look after their pill (ball) then we'll come out on top."

Johnson's job

"With the backs that the Fijians have you have to smash them up front.” Samoan prop Census Johnston added. “For me, that's my job. That's what I need to do. The Fijians aren't a small pack," he said.

While Domoni acknowledges the challenge his men will face against the likes of Johnston in the Samoan forward pack, the Fiji coach believes it is about playing smarter, not harder.

"Of course, they are tough. If you play straight into them, it'll be a hard day at the office,” he said. "We know where the opportunities lie for us, we know how we play against them and we'll just maximise our team performance towards the strengths that we have.

"In a battle like this, common sense prevails. It's a fight for the ball, that will get us through."
While Fiji won 36-18 the last time the two sides met at the Pacific Nations Cup in July this year, Samoa’s hooker Schwalger doesn’ not believe there is a clear favourite or underdog going into the match.

"As you can see at this World Cup, any team can beat any team,” the Samoan captain said. “So it's just the team that fronts up on the day will get the result."