Nikola Matawalu: Fiji hope to ruin England’s party

Hansen and company are intent on winning both on their travels, and becoming the first side to win consecutive World Cup titles. “There’s just a bigger box of chocolates at the end of it”.

Not one of those players selected himself and yet there are those who wish them ill, and even to fail, as some form of protest against rugby and what they perceive to be our transformation record.

There’s been concern over that since Japan scrapped plans to build a new National Stadium in time for the World Cup, which has made the worldwide federation threaten to pass the tournament to South Africa or Italy.

The defending champions have won the World Cup twice, but only ever on home ground.

“We can not ignore the prospect of having France in Cardiff in the quarter-final again”.

Afterwards, giant wing Nemani Nadolo, who plays for the Crusaders, said the aim of his team, which will competed in the so-called Pool of Death with England, Australia and Wales, was to “shock the world”.

Ranked 17th in the world, Romania have this time been drawn in a tough Pool D, kicking off against France at the Olympic Stadium on September 23 before moving across London to play Ireland four days later at Wembley.

They have lost only three of 47 tests between the Cups, discovering the art of the escape, to play to the whistle with an incomparable attitude and desire.

Tom Wood has called on England’s fans to nail home advantage and roar Stuart Lancaster’s men to success in the Rugby World Cup.

The wariness continued as Hansen chimed in “don’t tell them too much mate!” as McCaw prepared to offer insights into handling the hype of hosting a World Cup.

However coach Steve Hansen said they’d never get sick of the constant scrutiny, because it makes the team what it is.

It’s a great challenge because it has to happen one day, so why not us?

Some of those players are likely past their best but others, such as the lock Victor Matfield and Jean de Villiers, can be relied on to give of their best in this tournament.

World Cup victor Jason Robinson believes Sam Burgess will have every intention of making England’s starting line-up when the tournament starts next week.

Yesterday’s parting message, undoubtedly to also address the focus that will settle on his side from the British and global media when they arrive in London, was consistent with what Hansen had espoused when he named the team.

“I wasn’t at Eden Park in 2011”.