Pacesetter Fiji shines as Pacific teams face Rugby World Cup early exits

But, can Uruguay throw another twist into Pool A by beating the Pacific Islanders leaving them bottom of the group?

“Even though we have finished three games and we haven’t won anything but we have received a lot of positive feedbacks and the players are respected with their performances on the field compared to their past Rugby World Cup outings”.

On paper, Fiji have been the worst of the Pacific trio, losing all three opening pool games and facing the prospect of a winless campaign unless they overcome Uruguay on Tuesday.

This will be just the second meeting between the sides, with Fiji beating Uruguay 39-24 in 1999.

We say goodbye to Fiji and Milton Keynes from this year’s Rugby World Cup here as both combine with Uruguay to supply us with the first proper meaningless match of the competition. They’ve gone into the World Cup going: Australia, no; Wales, no; England no; Fiji – let’s have a go at them.

Uruguay have also failed to win a match at England 2015 and should prove easy prey for Fiji. “It’s not about one player”.

We have been blessed with our fair share of exciting matches in this World Cup already, but this one is right up there in terms of excitement and intensity.

At the Saith Seren pub in Wrexham, about 100 people turned out to show their support for the men in red (although the home team played in black for tonight’s game).

Powerful strike runner and goalkicker Nadolo must sit out the Millennium Stadium encounter due to a one-match ban imposed for a risky tackle when Fiji lost to Pool A opponents Australia seven days ago. “We can’t make any excuses for their discipline”. Fiji by 20 points!

Fiji: Kini Murimurivalu, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Vereniki Goneva, Lepani Botia, Nemani Nadolo, Ben Volavola, Nemia Kenatale; Campese Ma’afu, Sunia Koto, Leroy Atalifo, Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, Leone Nakarawa, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Akapusi Qera (captain), Sakiusa Matadigo.

Uruguay: 15 Gaston Mieres, 14 Santiago Gibernau, 13 Joaquin Prada, 12 Andres Vilaseca, 11 Rodrigo Silva, 10 Alejo Duran, 9 Agustin Ormaechea, 8 Alejandro Nieto, 7 Matias Beer, 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara, 5 Jorge Zerbino, 4 Santiago Vilaseca (c), 3 Mario Sagario, 2 Carlos Arboleya, 1 Alejo Corral. Replacements: G Kessler, O Duran, M Sanguinetti, M Palomeque, F Lamanna, J De Freitas, J Etcheverry, F Bulanti.