Fiji World Cup preview
October 11th 2008 08:45
Eels star Jarryd Hayne will lead an island nation responsible for casting the darkest of clouds on Welsh Rugby Union last year, whilst also maintaining the impression that dreams really do come true.
Fiji pulled the biggest of triggers in last years Rugby world cup, shooting the highly fancied Welsh side down, sending them packing in the group stages.
Although Fiji’s success in Union has been great for the code itself, will Fiji’s Rugby League world cup campaign provide another element of surprise or excitement?
The reality of the situation says no. Compared to other island nations such as Samoa and Tonga, Fiji’s player roster lacks the flair and experience necessary to trouble the big sides in two weeks time.
The determination of Fiji is not in question here. They pride themselves heavily in League, often producing world class calibre players, none more famous than Wallabies flyer Lote Tuqiri and Kangaroos Prop Petero Civoncieva.
Unfortunately for Fijian rugby league, this country is more often than not the victim of its own goldmine of player talent.
Indeed this is the challenge Fiji needs to overpower if they are any chance of causing a stir come world cup time.
Despite the lack of depth, Fiji can still count with some fairly able players, among them Knights fullback Wes Naiqama, Bradford winger Semi Tadulala and Bulldogs centre Daryl Millard.
But none are more exquisite than Parramatta flyer Jarryd Hayne.
Hayne was drafted into Fiji’s world cup squad due to his inability to break into the Kangaroos world cup side. This inturn represents a massive opportunity for Hayne to shine in a team who’s fortunes will heavily rest on his shoulders.
After suffering a disappointing 2008 season, (curbed by the fact he nearly lost his life due to a King Cross shooting in the pre-season) Hayne now has the means to remind the Australian selectors of the attacking brilliance they have left out, when he wears the white jersey of his native Fiji.
While most of Fiji’s hope will rest with Hayne's performances, Brisbane Broncos forward Ashton Sims will carry a heavy workload upfront as well.
Sims qualifies for the Fiji national team due to his mother being Fijian.
While Sims’ inclusion is a good one for ‘The Bati’, like Hayne, the Brisbane prop has a great chance to pit his power game against some of the best players in League.
This World Cup could indeed be a coming of age for Sims, who has been earmarked as a future State of Origin player, whilst also being the target for criticism, due to his high error rate, none more costly than his last touch of a football in season 2008 for the Broncos.
Sims was the player responsible for losing possession right on fulltime, granting the Melbourne Storm a Houdini style victory in the NRL semi-finals this season.
While that moment in particular will haunt Sims’ for the majority of his career, this is an ideal time to possibly mend the pain experienced against the Storm, by perhaps leading a Fiji side not expected to cause too much concern for the bigger guns.
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