RWC Diary Day 31 - Changes 29 September, 2011

(L-R) Ravai Fatiaki and Iliesa Keresoni.

The Flying Fijians team gets named tomorrow and all indications are there will be a number of changes from the team that took the field against Samoa. With Wame Lewaravu back from injury to partner Leone Nakarawa in the engine room Fiji looks likely to be at full strength for the Wales game in the locking department at least.

While Lewaravu and Nakrawa are likely starters, it’s still unclear at present who will start in the front row with the local based boys - Waisea Daveta and Nadroga’s Setefano Somoca - both pushing hard for a starting spot this week.

Whoever is named in the front row for Fiji will have to be at their very best against a Welsh front row that demolished the Samoans and frustrated the Sprinboks earlier in the tournament.

But one player who firmly believes Fiji can beat Wales on Sunday is lock forward Sekonaia Kalou. The former Otago based player believes Fiji must play an expansive game to beat the Welsh.

“We have to bring that flair back, bring that enjoyment back of what we are known for,” Kalou said.

“I have all the belief and all the trust in these boys they’ll go out there and do the business.”

Despite the adverse results on the pitch Kalou believes off it the boys remain strong both in spirit and in their determination to finish their final pool match in the best possible manner.

“The boys are getting along with each other and we’re just looking forward to going on Sunday and finishing this campaign on a high and the boys are raring to go, so fans should be expecting a good game on Sunday.”

A possible bolter in the team for Sunday's game against Wales is Iliesa Keresoni who looks to be in exceptional form on the training paddock. While his confidence may have been dented after his outing for Fiji against the All Blacks back in July, Keresoni - the younger brother of 2007 Rugby World Cup fullback Kameli Ratuvou - seems to have gotten his groove back and is arguably the fastest man in the team when he puts his mind to it. If selected look for Keresoni to set things alight on the paddock for the Flying Fijians.

This evening the boys held a barbecue and wee fancy dress competition to break the monotony of camp life. With every single person participating it proved a very enjoyable evening bringing the players together and bringing much needed laughter to the camp and generally lifting the spirit.

As a unit the boys in camp couldn’t be tighter. The trick will now be for the coaches and players to transfer the spirit off the field to a winning combination on it.

Until tomorrow, moce mada. 

View the full interview with Sekonaia Kalou.

View the Flying Fijians RWC 2011 photo gallery.

View video highlights of the Flying Fijians in New Zealand.

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