Rugby World Cup: Lomu warns England – beware of Fiji
The Pacific Island nations are ready to spring a surprise in England, says Tongan All Black legend
Rugby legend Jonah Lomu has warned England that they underestimate Fiji at their peril ahead of this evening's clash at Twickenham. The World Cup hosts face the Pacific Islanders in the tournament's opener and England are strong favourites to kick off their campaign with a victory.
But Fiji, dwarfed by England in terms of player number and financial resources if not size, have arguably their strongest ever squad at a World Cup, and history shows that they are more than capable of giving the so-called big boys a fright. In the inaugural World Cup in 1987, they reached the quarter-finals and ran France close before tiring in the last 20 minutes. But the advent of professionalism has improved that facet of their game and, allied to their size, strength and ball skills, Fiji are the proverbial banana skin.
Wales slipped up in the 2007 World Cup, losing their group game 38-34 and with it their chance of reaching the quarter-final, and the Fijians almost caused the shock of the tournament in the last eight against South Africa. With 15 minutes to go the game was locked at 20-20 with Fiji in control, and it required a stirring team talk from Springbok captain John Smit to galvanise his team to go on and win the match - and ultimately the World Cup.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Lomu is of Tongan descent (who caused a shock of their own in 2011 by beating France in the group stage) and the giant former All Black wing believes that one of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa will cause another surprise this time around. "Everyone is talking about the usual suspects in terms of who are going to win the tournament - the New Zealands, the Englands, the Irelands, the Wales," Lomu said. "The problem is they forget about the Polynesian South Pacific Island boys and those guys have a game or two that will upset a team somewhere along the line."
Acknowledging that England, cheered on by a capacity Twickenham crowd of 80,000, are favourites given their superior scrum, Lomu believes Fiji will look to get an early score and put the hosts under pressure in front of their expectant fans. "Somewhere along the line they're going to knock over a big team and it could be England. The majority of their players, 80 per cent of them or so, they play in Europe," said Lomu. "They're not intimidated in terms of playing against these guys because they play against them week in week out. If you give them a sniff that they have a chance, it could be a long day at the office for the England team."
England last met Fiji in 2012, and coasted to a 54-12 victory at Twickenham. There was nothing at stake on that occasion, however, but the English will look to meet the fast and furious Fijians head on. “England are ready to go,” said scrum-half Ben Youngs, who will win his 50th cap this evening. "In training this week there has been a real edge and intensity about us. Not nervousness, just excitement. If we continue to build emotionally... I've no doubt we'll come out of the blocks on Friday absolutely flying."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'The Hum': the real-life noise behind The Listeners
In The Spotlight Can some of us also hear the disturbing sound that plagues characters in the hit TV show – and where is it coming from?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Are we any closer to identifying UFOs?
Podcast Plus, will deals with Tunisia and Kurdistan help Labour? And what next for the Wagner Group?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 16 - 22 November
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Rejuvenated England show spirit, unity and ‘never-say-die courage’
feature Eddie Jones’s new-look side complete autumn Test clean sweep by toppling South Africa
By The Week Staff Published
-
A World Cup every two years - for football and rugby union?
Pros and Cons Governing bodies of both sports are discussing the option of biennial tournaments
By The Week Staff Published
-
Rugby union lawsuits: impact could be ‘astronomical’ for governing bodies
Speed Read RPA says training protocols ‘need addressing very quickly’ over head injuries
By Mike Starling Published
-
Premier League 2020-21 predictions and odds: champions, top four, relegation
The Week Recommends A look at what the football media has to say ahead of the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich: Alphonso Davies expects a ‘goalfest’
The Week Recommends Key talking points ahead of the Champions League final
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City’s ‘World Cup’: Pep Guardiola’s team bid for Champions League glory
The Week Recommends Sky Blues prepare for a potential three knockout games in eight days in Portugal
By Mike Starling Published
-
On the prowl for No.16: Tiger Woods is geared up for PGA Championship challenge
The Week Recommends First major of the year will be held behind closed doors at TPC Harding Park
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Eddie Jones to lead England at 2023 Rugby World Cup and Barcelona want Neymar-Griezmann deal
Speed Read Ten things from the world of sport on Thursday 2 April
By The Week Staff Published