So can Fiji make the Quarter-Finals? | Rugby World Cup 2023 Preview
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ส.ค. 2023
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They're rugby's great entertainer and everybody's second-favourite team, but this year they might be something more. A fantastic Fiji are readying themselves to take on the world this September, with Wales & Australia, and a repeat of 2007, in their sights. So, can Fiji get out of the group for just the third time ever, and make the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup?
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Written by Robbie Owen, edited & researched by Will & Robbie Owen - กีฬา
Ravutaumada taking that Drua form to the test game has been beautiful to see
Surely you and Squidge do a collaborative video. I know you both have vastly different style but this would be a dream come true!
@TwoCentsRugby How do you not have a verification tick next to your name?
@@marccronje8325don't you need 100k for that?
Agree he’s definitely taken a step up since druas first year in super rugby
Lol Mark what are you doing here 😂
Clicked on the notification quicker than Eddie Jones dropped his captain from the Wallabies squad
😂 Good one bro
Calling Georgia the best Northern Hemisphere tier 2 team is a bit harsh on England. I mean we are rubbish but I feel we deserve consideration
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
😂 Nice one
Almost like saying the same thing about Australia in the south in Fiji's case 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
😂😂😂
Idk, based on this weekend if say that's accurate...
The biggest difference for this world cup for Fiji is that they have a professional super rugby team now. A team that in this 20 min long video was mentioned only once after 17 minutes. Big fan of your content Squidge but spending a significant portion of the video talking about single players in different European clubs rather than discussing a team that is feeding over half of the squad misses the mark a bit.
That’s true.
Agree 100%
Such is the super rugby drm curse
I've seen squidge have to edit videos to remove all super rugby footage when he's added clips of it. Not a squidge issue, I believe it's a rights issue
Drua have been the success story of the Super Rugby competition. They are incredibly hard to beat at home and have some significant scalps. Moana Pasifika on the other hand have been a failure and will struggle to avoid being dissolved
Biggest thing about Fiji this time around is that the core is made up of Drua super rugby players and the cohesion and depth that used to be lacking is now intact.
If they can get a solid set piece going, well... watch out!
This. Focus on Tuisova and Radradra if you like, but the core Drua team, Ravouvou, Droasese, Habosi, Derenalagi, Nasilasila are going to be the Fijian backbone and really belt their pool into submission
As a Fijian supporter passing a message to the players, stay grounded and focused. Block the noise. One game at a time. 🇫🇯
The Drua was definitely undermentioned in this video. They’ve learnt so many key skills under Mick Byrne.
Oh yeh the guy who taught nz how to win a cup
Fijians learning skills? They have ALL the skills already
@Anonymous.13342 shame, my answer you deserve was removed...it was two words one starts with F followed by another which starts with Y.
Very true and we'll said...thank you coach Byrne for your faith in the Drua team which the fruits of your dedication has highly shine in the Fiji Team..thank you Coach Byrne and your Drua management teams❤️💯🙌🙌🙌
Over the years, Fiji have struggled with their squad being scattered across the globe. Now that the core of their squad is based within the Fijian Drua squad, it'll be interesting to see how far that cohesion can take them. Combined with the star quality of European based players like Tuisova, Botia, and Radrada
This "tier 2 team" just wacked England haha
Everybody's 2nd team. Love the way they play. 2 props, 2 locks, ten loose forwards and a halfback
Not my 2nd team. All Blacks is my 1st team
Then the Pumas. I have a soft spot for Argentina as I did a rugby tour there as a schoolboy.
Scotland is my 3rd favourite as I am Maori with Scottish ancestry.
Georgia is my 4th. Rugby is in their blood. It's their national game. Their nickname the Lelos speaks to this. Lelo is an ancient game played with a pigs bladder with many similarities to rugby. Played between villages the aim was to get the ball to the other village. Sometimes played by hundreds it was brutal and often ended in deaths.
And then Italy and Portugal because I love their style.
Then the island nations.
Then the rest.
@@JaemanEdwards okayyyy
@@JaemanEdwards
too bad the Maori isn't playing any matches this year.
I was hoping that they'd play in the PNC and also pre-RWC warm up matches .....
@@cozzyinternet4706 The NZ Maori are a great warm up game for any international team, you're right.
@@JaemanEdwardsno one gives a shit mate
Truly, each time Squidge has highlighted a team, I cannot help rooting for that team.
wait for the england one mate...
I’m a simple man, I get a notification from Squidge Rugby and hit the like button. Thanks for this insightful content again
I was at Nantes...couldn't have lost to a lovelier group of fans to be honest.
Thats the spirit.
Can’t wait for the casual rugby public to find out the worlds best forward is a 37 year old Fijian prison warden
😂 Love it bro
Spat my dinner out when i read this 😂
@@turtleneck3747. You better swallow it again. 😅😅😅
"Give it to the Fijian lad" equally applies to rugby balls and General Purpose Machine Guns 😂❤
Let's be honest - given current performances it's going to be Fiji topping the group. I expect them to beat both Australia and Wales, and there will be another banana skin for one of those two teams somewhere else. Japan aren't what they used to be, but you never know, and we've all learnt that underestimating Georgia could easily result in egg on face.
As a Welshman I'm very very worried about facing Fiji again, especially a better team than last time, and the last time was very close and very bruising. It seems that the Fijians are made to play rugby!! Brilliant to watch!! Cymru am byth!!!
It's gona be an awesome encounter between the two good luck mate🇫🇯🏴
yea like this is probably a better Fijian team then 07 while 2023 wales is better then 07 they are not amazing either
@@Wayaboy10 yeah thanks i think we'll need loads of luck my friend, just go easy on us ha ha.
@@kurtpunchesthings2411 Well yes Gatland goes on about how fit this team is, doesn't mean nothing if your skills and rugby brains let you down.
You just never miss. I don't even watch rugby and you've got me fired up for Fiji this world cup!
Weird
@@JaemanEdwardswhy is that weird?
@@juniorsewbs7593 They don't watch rugby yet they watch a rugby TH-cam channel. Weird as fk.
@@JaemanEdwards lol
For the algo.. quality content as per usual. Watching the drua in super rugby all season gives me cause for concern as a wallabies supporter... they are big athletic harlem globe trotter esque rugby equivalents that can conjure meat pies out of absolutely nothing..
Most teams feel the hits for days after aswell leading to squad rotations etc needed.
Go hard fiji... so much fun to watch
Who's watching this after Fiji's victory against England ?
This pool is so exciting because I think it's not unreasonable to believe that Fiji or Georgia could upset the Tier 1 nations and top the group. We could easily see a triangle of wins and quaterfinalists going through on points difference!
they could both do it. or neither. this pool is bonkers.
Welsh and Australian rugby fans (myself included) are the Spider-Man pointing meme right now
1. Wallabies
2. Georgia
3. Wales
4. Fiji
5. Portugal
very may be
@@JaemanEdwards- You need to watch more Drua and Fiji rugby. There is every chance Fiji will go into the uarter finals undefeated.
Can we just appreciate that Lohmann at 20:20 just has the pure athleticism and leaping ability to jump onto the shoulders of a 6 feet plus man without seeming to fully commit to it 😂😂😂😂
Ill echo the other sentiments, what makes this team so scary is that the core have been playing together in the Drua for the last two years and are already taking scalps there. Add in the superstars on top of this core and ... holy shit. Scary.
Impressed by how much you know about the Fijian players.
Not really. It is his job after all.
@@JaemanEdwards He knows more about these players than commentators do. Most of the commentators here in NZ wouldn’t even be able to pronounce their names.
🇫🇯🇫🇯Go flying Fijians 🇫🇯🇫🇯! Slay the 🐲 and kick the 🦘 and top the pool!
Love this. Watching the Drua this season has been interesting and clearly has given the Fiji squad a huge boost. Then add amazing France- and England- based players like Botia and Radradra, and seeing the FFs winning the pool is not far-fetched. Watching them dismantle a veteran Japan team in Tokyo without those two (even Labuachagne’s red card doesn’t diminish what Fiji did in that match, with a couple tries disallowed and Japan only breaking through after things were done and dusted…..Wales and Oz beware; Fiji and Georgia could be the pick of the pool.
Love this - Squidge Rugby is bringing the excitement pre world cup like nobody else
Before world cup campaign takes place we still can feel it's atmosphere which we can mention we are in it
You mostly mentioned the NH player’s, but the majority of this team play for the Drua in Super Rugby. Their scrum has become a real weapon because of Jason Ryan who now coaches the AB forwards.
Excellent, your passion for Fijian rugby really shines through
They're going to win the pool. You heard it here first. Samoa will come 2nd behind Argentina in their pool. Gonna be the most exciting world cup ever
Fiji are not beating Australia to top the pool just like Samoa are not beating England. Stop the nonsense!
@@jamesh8862 we'll see.
@@jamesh8862gotta have belief mate
@@ChrisEAdlay No we won't.
Fiji are not going to win the pool ahead of the Wallabies. Ain't happening.
Argentina could win their pool but Samoa are not knocking England out. That is not going to happen! England are playing poor but they are still more than good enough to defeat the likes of Italy & co (not a full strength Italian side put 49 by Samoa last time they played one another.)
I get being proud of your country/favourite team or whatever & hoping they do well but it should not be at the expense of logic & reason.
Argentina are certainly good enough to beat England. Samoa are not good enough to beat England right now.
It's exciting times of Fijian rugby but they are not besting Australia in this world cup pool. Wales are poor but have good players & a top class coach. Sole focus should be on beating them to 2nd place.
@@jamesh8862who cares about facts and logic, it's just a game. Damn we got Ben Shapiro here in the comments. See what happens, if Japan could do it then why not another T2 team.
I was hoping to learn more about what’s going on with the Fijian Dura as I’ve heard it mentioned quite a lot and it sounds like it’s goals are exciting and working
Thank you for the shout out to Canada’s former strength, we miss it too.
Canada too woke. Tell the men to stop playing in the women's league. How embarrassing for this country. And for rugby. Disgraceful.
Fire Kingsley Jones! 🇨🇦
Los Pumas thought they were going to roll over Fiji in 1987, and they've got done by them...Porta himself told the story.
Brilliant assessment of Fiji's chances in this Rugby World Cup ! Love it !
Ok so im an 🏴 fan and would love to see Fiji knock either Australia or Wales out at the group stage.
But for rugby as a game its important that teams like Fiji do develop from 7s and amazingly talented individuals into a world force in XVs rugby.
I hope they manage to make this transition at the 2023 WC.
Amazing that it's the 8th 9th 10th and 11th current ranked teams.
I got money on the 8th and 11th ranked teams progressing. The Wallabies and Georgia.
Im a Kiwi.
Pool C
1. Wallabies
2. Georgia
3. Wales
4. Fiji
5. Portugal
@@JaemanEdwardslet’s see how that pans out
You'll need someone to follow in the knock out rounds mate 😂
I'm tipping fiji for a upset 3rd place I think they are very underrated my 2nd favourite national team (1st is scotland)
11 teams at the RWC have never beaten the ABs, including Scotland. It’s been over 60 years since Wales last win, and it took Ireland over 100 years to get their first win.
Scotland will make the quarters. Fiji won't. I have money on it.
@@JaemanEdwards *hater alert. That's your opinion and no one gives a fck
It was ment to be a upset I've just realised
@JaemanEdwards after they deafeated England and gain 101% confident we are no longer a push over. Watch and gape.
Highly entertaining videos sir. Makes one stoked for the World Cup.
Go Fiji!!!!
Fiji's next 2 games before the RWC will be the litmus test and a better indicator how they will perform in the pool games
Those Drua players in the squad are the ones to look at. Either starting them or off the bench, they always seem to lift the pace of the game when they're all on the field. Bring on RWC23 🔥🔥
Fiji needs to fix the 15 jersey.
One year ago it would have been an easy call with Tuicuvu but he was in overweight situation at Brive for all year ( and played terrible ) and has been released.
They currently try the Maqala option who did an absolute fantastic season at Bayonne but at n13 ( best 13 in top 14 this season ) but never ever played 15 for Bayonne. He can have the ability to adapt regarding high ball, he's a superb runner but when it comes to everything related to kicking its a big problem...
I'm not sure Droasese can take the jersey too. Volavola seemed to be the perfect fit for this current fijian team for the fullback role, not sure about him being released especially for the Wales matchup...
And 10. Without a decent kicker Fiji will struggle
Im sure Ravutaumada can take the 15 jersey. When he did against the Reds he was on fire and his work rate and clearance kicking is amazing.
Your rugby knowledge is remarkable even commentators and analysts don't have this much depth. This was excellent to watch you have a new subscriber my friend
8,9,10, and 11 in the world rankings all being in the same group is so interesting
I got money on 8th and 11th.
It's not tho is it, Georgia and Portugal are going to go hard at Fiji, and 1 or both may well beat them
Very good assessment of the Fiji team indeed build up to the 2023 World Cup
If Fiji used Ravutaumada in the #15, Fiji will be more dangerous. All the best Fiji and Vinaka coach for coming back and giving your time for your country.
They're all dangerous
@@JaemanEdwards but this player Ravutaumada is being used in the wing. Should have seen him play fullback and his linebreaks from the back is tremendous compared to other players plus his high balls are awesome. His first Super rugby wasn't on point but this year he was a standout player for me as a player who's not being utilised properly in a position he works well in.
I approve this message :) He showed in Super Rugby that he is the best 15. Now we need to just play him there all the time to be world class
@@6VITU9I think he will dawn the 15 jersey since habosi tuisova and wainiqolo are on the wing....
@@Sparky1591-I
you mean, "don".
if he wore the #15 jersey from dawn, he'd be tired by afternoon.....
Give it to the Fijian lad!… love it
Fabulous review, loved it!
For sure, by far the strongest Pacific Islands nation team, and entertaining brand of rugby.
What a take 💯🔥👏🏼🫡
Obligatory RIP Ntamack comment
It's a lot of work but we really appreciate it, fantastic job Squidge!
Fiji is in best position ever heading into the World Cup, knowing they’ve got the PNC wrapped up, they can only get better with 2more warm up games against powerhouses England and France, you just cannot ask for more in terms of preparations. The best rehearsal before taking on Wales and Australia straight after . 🇫🇯🔥
FIJI IS HUMBLE AND RESPECT ALL TEAMS. We know it, We feel it.
Vilimoni Botitu is deadly!!! He would be great at 15!
If Muntz is 10, Botitu 15 if not 12. Otherwise, Botitu would be a great 10 too. Fiji is sleeping on this guy
too bad he's injured and not in the RWC squad :(
Poor Fiji. Not even 'Can they make it to the Semi-Finals?'
No. They do have a decent chance at the quarters.
It's pretty clear that clowns like you who are saying that just don't want them to succeed 🤣
Love the break down keep up with the good stuff…. 💯💯
After watching their defeat of England I can confirm, yes!
I hope @JaemanEdwards could reply to your comment.
We have finallly made it to the Quarter Finals- 16yrs in the making 🎉🎉🇫🇯🇫🇯🇫🇯
Toso Viti Toso!!!
I'm delighted fijis weakness used to be set piece plays if they can secure their ball their possession offload game would be beautiful to watch.
Both Wales and Australia are vulnerable. Not just from Fiji either. Georgia are an outside chance and will have everything to play for (& nothing to lose).
It's either fiji to pass or Georgia
You didn't mention Viliame Mata, but I think he could be another key player for Fiji, he's an incredible ball carrier and I know him better than others because he plays for Edinburgh in URC (where my team of choice is playing). And I think also they have a decent fly half now with Caleb Muntz (and this is important as well). I'm pretty convinced that Fiji can be able to reach the quarter finals, but probably they are not ready to get more, not sure they are really competitive defensively...certainly Fiji are going through a very positive moment. But, on the other side, the fact of beating Samoa, Tonga and Japan is not enough to consider them as possible winners of the WC, I think the hardest tests aren't those ones for them. So...we shall see. Josua Tuisova and Semi Radradra are part of my favourite rugby players at the moment. Levani Botia is some beast.
Fiji are all incredible ball players. But it takes more than that.
Mata, Matavesi and Volavola are fijis key players. Without them the gameplan breaks down and Fiji turn into an offloading score from anywhere mess
@@leeofdoom4452 Volavola is not in the final list :-(
@@michelefavaretto627 ye I found out earlier... so their only 2 10s are Muntz and Tela, both play for the Drua, neither are that good.
@@leeofdoom4452 Muntz is sufficiently good, though
Honestly this vid and the other tier two vids have me more excited for the world cup than any of the seeded teams rubbish. Yes England will make an undeserved semi. Yes Ireland will go out in the quarters. But now I'm fully invested in Fiji automatically qualifying for 2027. And in the Condores smashing Samoa. Thank you Squidge! You're doing God's work
Yet another great informative and funny vids excellent work A+
Yes. In this RWC pool they can.
Get it Fiji. Definitely the Dark Horse vote this RWC from me. Much ofas from a Tongan brother 😎
Fantastic video. I have visited Fiji and given the size and population of the Island, its almost like some evolutionary experiment is going on to produce the best rugby athletes on the planet (Tonga and Samoa similar). Will be supporting Fiji all the way, especially since my team England, are so sh....
you should since English is their 2nd language!! 😄
The Levani Botia comment was funny🤣
from an Irish guy Fiji can definitely make the Quarter Finals because no offense Wales are not actually the most dominant team right now neither is Australia putting it bluntly
it should not shock anyone if Fiji finish second in that Group there in arguably the weakest Pool
Who doesn't love the Flying Fijians? They've got a great chance of getting beyond the group stage and then would likely face Argentina or England in the quarters. How good would it be to see them knock England out? I bought my son the Fiji away shirt and I don't think he'd have it off his back if that happened.
Bula Vinaka from a Kiwi in Aus, Great video Squidgy kudos to you, and appreciated.
If they all can keep cool heads and play smart, test footy then definitely yes. They already have the physicality and skills to get there just need to be smart and maintain good discipline
This video aged well!
Will totally depend on the referrees and their 'interpretation ' of the law.
i don't think it is crazy to suggest they win the pool.
As an Aussie, I resentfully agree
Maybe a bit of a stretch but certainly possible. Australia are favourites but have played dog awful lately
Not crazy at all. A lot of fans and even some ex players have them in the quarters.
Yes, yes it is. They play Wales then aus, then a beaten up Fiji go to Georgia...
If they win 1 of those, most likely wales up first they will have done very well
As a Welsh fan, this terrifies me.
Neither Wales or Fiji will make the quarters
@@JaemanEdwards agreed mate, Georgia and Portugal all the way 🇬🇪🇵🇹
Fiji used to be my favourite rugby team (aside from Ireland) as a kid. I forgot how amazong they are to watch. The skills and tricks are so thrilling.
Any chance of Masi going? He's looked unreal in SR
I am loving this channel - Bravo.!
"Fiji headed to Squarespace." I spat my drink😂
I love the emphasis that has been propounded by the head coach.utterly discipline.that is why his outfit has been conceding very less penalty count.they also have one ground coach who is a former world standard referee.discipline is the key.
Should've mentioned more of the Drua as they had an amazing sophomore season in Super Rugby beating arguably the best club in the world Crusaders during the regular season and Hurricanes to boot going 6-8 the cohesion will be amazing as 18 of the 33 Fiji players are from the Super Rugby side... Amazing breakdown though
Go Fiji
One of my fave Squidges in a while! Chaotic postman energy, massive dome of meat men, batshit box office, quantifiably shit, so many great Squidgisms, don't ever change Squidge!!
Please god no I've been through enough pain
I'm watching this after watching England Vs Fiji at Twickenham
Interesting to hear about Yato pulling out, as good an outcome as I could have hoped after not seeing his name on the team after seeing him play last world cup. Shame about their schedule not being ideal after it being tough last world cup, from memory I think I felt it was a key part of their loss to Uruguay.
Incredible work
Please do consider creating or at least editing the automatically generated English subttitles to your videos! This would definitively help to your channel's growths among us foreign fans!
Mate go to setting under captions ,I always have it on
Got 13 min in, and you still hadn’t mentioned the Drua. Dude 18 of the 34 are Drua. Really poor as they will form the basis of the team and have had some maxing result’s including the win over the Crusaders ❤😢
This is very good!
Great video. Thank you
as long as they dont shit the bed, they should get 2 bonus point victories in their last 2 games against Portugal and Georgia, guarantying their qualification into the quarters
Doesnt guarentee it. Aussies beat wales with each gettimg a bonus point then it will be all tied up for points, then it would come down to pkints difference. So Fiji migjt need big wins over Georgia and Portugal
@@fg7397 it doesn't come down to points difference, it comes down to head to head
How great would it be if they won the World Cup
Their semi-final will likely be against NZ (or a rampant French team that just bested NZ & then Ireland/SA.)
I think the whole world would explode
You'd never hear the end of it from Fiji's insufferable supporters.
The warm up against France whatever team the French field will be a big boost for the campaign...I cant wait for that...more discussions will ensue after that game Im sure
Go Fiji. They got both quantity and quality!
Squidge, you're freaking me out for the WC! I cant take another 2007
Fiji are so insane at rugby that they had to invent an extra day in June just to allow for their talent
what day would that be ??
Hi from the future, fiji aren't doing too bad 😮
That depends on the referees.😅