Preview: England v Fiji
It all starts at Twickenham on Friday – where hosts England must overcome the 'fear of failure', while their opponents, Fiji, will play with total freedom.
Fiji coach John McKee said expected his side to "rise to the challenge" of facing England in the World Cup opener at Twickenham, even though the odds appear stacked against the Pacific Islanders.
For several members of the Fiji team, Friday's fixture will be the first time they've played at Twickenham, where the bulk of an expected capacity crowd of more than 82,000 will be cheering for England.
"We know there is a massive challenge ahead of us and we can rise to the challenge," McKee told a press conference on Thursday.
"The real pressure is on England and, for us, it's everything to gain through our performance."
While England will hope to make the most of the fervour of home support, McKee said the enduring importance of rugby union to countries in the Pacific had to be seen to be believed.
"Rugby is more than a passion, it's a way of life for the Pacific countries – Fiji, Tonga, Samoa.
"For the people back home, they are mad about rugby and the World Cup is the pinnacle.
"In Fiji, everyone is glued to TVs in the cities. In the villages maybe they have got together and got one TV and a generator and a satellite dish to pick up TV."
England have been told to revel in the fact they are staging a World Cup, with forwards coach Graham Rowntree insisting Thursday the squad were set for the "time of their lives".
The tournament hosts, England, face Fiji in one of the toughest pools ever in World Cup history, with two-time champions Australia and Wales also battling for one of the two quarterfinal places on offer in Pool A.
After a lengthy build-up, including two warm-up matches against France and one against Ireland, as well as months of speculation, England will finally have a match of consequence to focus on, with Fiji tipped to cause an upset at some stage during the pool phase.
Rowntree, however, was adamant that Pacific Nations champions Fiji would be under a searching spotlight as well come kick off in front of a full-house of more than 82,000 fans at Twickenham.
"There's a lot of talk about this word 'upset', but we've prepared well for this game," Rowntree told a Twickenham news conference on Thursday.
"For our guys, this is the time of their lives. They are on their own turf, in front of their families and friends, with potentially 15 million people watching on TV, 50 million country-wide supporting them.
"The players are aware of that support, so which team is the pressure on? That's my question," the former England prop added.
"We've been ready for a couple of weeks. We've trained exceptionally well. It's been a long three months and it's been a tough camp.
"We've had a good work-out against some great nations in France and Ireland in our warm-up games. The lads are fitter than they've ever been. I'm excited for them."
Although best known for their expertise in Sevens, Fiji have been steadily improving their 15-a-side game and McKee believes they can pose problems for England.
"We have had a good look at England over a number of competitions now and we recognise that they are a very good side across the board," he said.
"Maybe there are some chinks in their armour. We will keep that up our sleeves and see if things come off for us tomorrow [Friday]," the New Zealander added.
"The Fiji squad have got a unique profile of playing. We have got a lot of strong players, very quick players, but they are also very powerful, good ball-handlers.
"We need to play to those strengths in our game but also, in international rugby, around the set piece, having a good field position and a kicking game are essential parts of the game."
"We hope we have got it right and can play both games."
Inevitably, much of the talk concerning Pool A has centred on the fact that at least one of rugby's established nations – England, Australia and Wales – will be knocked out in the first round.
McKee though did not think such comments were disrespectful to his side.
"It's good for us to be out of the limelight, but I don't think any of these teams will underestimate us.
Players to watch:
For England: Fullback Mike Brown's concussion history will be a factor, given the hard- and high-hitting nature of the Pacific Islanders' defensive methods. The midfield combination of Jonathan Joseph and Brad Barritt will be under scrutiny, given that is one area where there seems to be some uncertainty. The pack is a settled and impressive unit and should have little trouble in dominating the Fijian forwards.
For Fiji: You never take your eyes off any Fijian back – whether you're a spectator of an opponent. The likes of Waisea Nayacalevu, Vereniki Goneva, Nemani Nadolo and Ben Volavola can open defences like a can of sardines. How captain Akapusi Qera and his fellow forwards cope in the set pieces will be crucial.
Head to head: Let's start with the flyers – Anthony Watson (England) versus Nemani Nadolo (Fiji), fleet-footed evasiveness versus brute power and pace. The one area where Fiji may be under real pressure is in the scrums – where Dan Cole, Tom Youngs and Joe Marler (England) could have a field day against Manasa Saulo, Sunia Koto and Campese Ma'afu (Fiji).
Previous results:
2012: England won 54-12, London
1999: England won 45-24, London (World Cup play-of match)
1991: England won 28-12, Suva
1989: England won 58-23, London
1988: England won 25-12, Suva
Prediction: On a bright sunny day, with dry underfoot conditions you would give Fiji a real chance of an upset. However, if the wet weather does move in just before or during the game, England's more physical forwards will give them a clear advantage and a convincing win – perhaps by 15 points or more.
Teams:
England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Geoff Parling, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Joe Marler.
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.
Fiji: 15 Metuisela Talebula, 14 Waisea Nayacalevu, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Nikola Matawalu, 8 Sakiusa Masi Matadigo, 7 Akapusi Qera (captain), 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
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.
Date: Friday, September 18
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-off: 20.00 (19.00 GMT; 07.00 Saturday, September 19 Fiji time)
Expected weather: There will be sunny spells through the day, but scattered showers developing. Some of the showers may be heavy, with a risk of thunder. Light winds. High of 19°C and low of 11°C
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Stuart Berry (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Agence France-Presse & @rugby365com
