Why it’s a particularly big week for seven Wallabies players

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Saint-Etienne: For the majority of the Wallabies squad, this week’s pool fixture against Fiji on Sunday (Monday 1.45am AEST) is just another step on the path to locking in a quarter-final berth.

The team are on the things that don’t make headlines: trusting the process, making improvements, getting in a good recovery as well as reviews and previews.

But for seven of the 33 squad members, there is a deeper meaning to this Fiji Test, where family allegiances will be divided and both national anthems will mean a lot.

It is a huge week for the seven players with Fijian heritage in the Wallabies squad: Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Rob Valetini, Suliasi Vunivalu, Langi Gleeson and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa.

Of those seven, Kerevi, Koroibete and Vunivalu were born in Fiji, while the other four have distinct ties to the island nation which has long been an impressive production line of rugby talent.

At his post-match press conference following Australia’s comprehensive 35-15 win over Georgia, coach Eddie Jones referenced the significance of this week for a number of his stars, many of whom have never lined up against this week’s opposition.

Wallabies players with Fijian heritage (L-R) Mark Nawaqanitawase, Langi Gleeson, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi, Rob Valetini, Suliasi Vunivalu. Credit: Instagram

The Wallabies don’t play Fiji all that often, and haven’t since the 2019 World Cup opener when hooker Tolu Latu scored two important tries off rolling mauls to help Australia to a 39-21 win in Sapporo.

Koroibete and Kerevi featured that night, while No.8 Isi Naisarani was the other player with Fijian heritage in the Wallabies’ matchday 23.

Provided all seven in France get the green light at the selection table this week, the Wallabies will have more than double the Fijian representation four years later.

“It’s always going to be special because Fiji holds a special place in our heart,” Kerevi said. “But once you put on the jersey, we’re Australians.”

Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase at a school visit in Saint-Etienne on Monday. Credit: Getty

Fiji, who lost to Wales 32-26 on Sunday night in Bordeaux, need a win to have any chance of making a World Cup quarter-final for the first time since 2007. Coincidentally, that tournament was also in France.

The Wallabies have not lost a Test to Fiji since 1954, when 33,099 fans at the Sydney Cricket Ground watched the Wallabies go down 18-16 after visiting fullback Taniela Ranavue kicked an easy penalty from in front thanks to a controversial decision at scrum-time from referee Don Furness.

Should Fiji pull off an unlikely victory in the teams’ second World Cup match at this tournament, some parents of Australian players might not know how to react.

“My family backs them,” said Gleeson, who grew up on Sydney’s northern beaches. “I don’t know who they’re going to support this week.

Mark Nawaqanitawase with his mother, Fiona Tovehi, stepfather, Aisake Tovehi, and relative Malakai.Credit: Wolter Peeters

“It’s probably my second team. Most of their players play in the [Fijian] Drua [in Super Rugby] and PNC [Pacific Nations Cup]. They’re a really good team.

“I’d always watch the sevens. My family are a big Fijian rugby supporters. I liked playing in the backyard.

“It means everything for my family. Growing up, I always wanted to be a Wallaby. I didn’t think I’d get there. It’s all been a blur, this year and last year.”

Last year, Nawaqanitawase, whose Fijian father came to Sydney to play rugby league in 1991, contemplated playing for the Pacific nation but stuck with the Wallabies and made his debut in November against Italy.

“I’d like to think most [family members] are getting around me this week,” Nawaqanitawase said.

“I’ve been growing up watching them since I was a kid. There’s a few players in there that I look up to [in the Fiji team] but it’ll be a pretty special moment for myself and my family.

“For a split second, I was thinking about going down that path. I’m grateful for how things have turned out.”

Nawaqanitawase, who scored a try against Georgia, celebrated his 23rd birthday on Monday with a school visit where young French children sang him happy birthday.

The Wallabies walked into a sea of screaming French kids who asked for autographs and even stood next to their new heroes during media duties.

It was these same schoolkids who sang the Australian national anthem that was played through the speakers at Stade de France on Saturday before the Wallabies’ match against Georgia.

“It was pretty special to hear the kids sing me happy birthday,” Nawaqanitawase said. “It goes to show the passion they have.”

Gleeson added: “It’s like I was walking through a boxing ring. It’s a good atmosphere.”

Wallabies back their game against Fiji

The Wallabies have vowed to back their playing style against a “mysterious” Fijian team who will be eager to keep their Rugby World Cup campaign alive this weekend.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones and other staff members sat in the stands in Bordeaux to watch Fiji take on Wales on Sunday night.

A Semi Radradra knock-on at the death was the difference in a pulsating fixture as Wales joined Australia at the top of Pool C with a 32-26 win over Fiji.

“It was a great game to watch, right until the last minute it was very exciting,” said Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase. “Fiji showed that flair. I think they ran 1000 metres during the game. Credit to Wales, they defended well and managed to get the win.”

Semi Radradra, right, will be chasing a big game when Fiji face the Wallabies after a costly error against Wales.Credit: Getty

The Wallabies have a great record against Fiji, winning their last 15 Tests since 1972, but the Simon Raiwalui-coached side are a far more dangerous prospect and a real threat of causing an upset in Saint-Etienne.

Fiji beat England last month for the first time and are considered by many to be the dark horse of the tournament.

The Wallabies have renewed confidence following their 20-point win over Georgia at the weekend and want to continue their progress against a Fijian side whose unstructured style has caused many teams headaches.

“We’ve got to back ourselves in what we do and make sure we’re focused on ourselves,” Nawaqanitawase said. “Each game we want to improve. We’ll want to tighten up. They’ll want to bring a lot of mystery. They can do anything out of nothing. We’ve got to make sure we’re connected and ready for it.

“We’ve had things in our game we’ve had to improve that we want to work on.”

Raiwalui has a deep understanding of some of Australia’s players, having worked under Michael Cheika as a Wallabies assistant at the 2019 World Cup.

“Their coaching staff was watching [our game], so they’re obviously preparing for that [next] match,” Raiwalui said. “They’ll find some things they can target us with and they will look at some things today and probably target some of those areas. I think it’s going to be a great match and I’m looking forward to it.”

“We really have to go out there and push for that victory. We have to prepare as well as we can against a very good team.”

Fiji’s backs love to spread the ball and play an expansive game but Australia also have dangerous outside backs in Nawaqanitawase and Koroibete.

Nawaqanitawase scored his first Test try on the weekend and once again showed how dangerous he is in the air.

Since last year’s spring tour, Nawaqanitawase has been one of Australia’s best players and wants to make his mark on the World Cup.

“I’m really enjoying my footy,” he said. “I’m happy to do what the team needs me to do. In France it’s pretty cool. It’s made me realise how great the game is. The passion they have gives you that excitement for the game.”

If Fiji lost to the Wallabies, it is unlikely they would progress to the last eight.

Watch all the action from Rugby World Cup 2023 on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport. Every match streaming ad-free, live and in 4K UHD with replays, mini matches and highlights available on demand.

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