Selesitino Ravutaumada takes on and beats England's Jonny May at Twickenham, London on 26th August Photo: ACTION FOTO SPORT
In the first of three articles on the three Pacific teams as they head into the World Cup, RNZ Pacific looks at the in-form Flying Fijians.
The islands have always offered a sanctuary for those needing rest and time to let loose and refresh.
Paradise, they say, as they promote tourist destinations in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
For Pasifika rugby players it's the best place to be and start their preparation for the demanding international rugby schedules.
In July, that was where the coaches of the Pacific teams took their teams to ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup.
Paradise, amongst their people, living their life and culture.
For the three island teams it was time to re-connect, re-focus on what it meant to be a Flying Fijian, an 'Ikale Tahi or a Manu Samoan.
Three different teams - with three things in common - the people, culture and their way of life.
It meant bringing the standards lived across the globe - in Asia, Australia, Europe and New Zealand back home to where it all started for so many players.
It's that link that the island teams are hoping will carry them through the Rugby World Cup which starts in France on September 8, local time.
The link to who they are, who they are representing, the flags they are going to fight for and what that means to them and the teams they represent.
Fijians reconnected
The Flying Fijians have had two warm-up matches in the northern hemisphere in the last two weeks.
They pushed France in Nantes, losing 28-14. The Fijians fought hard, with the forward pack holding their own and winning the scrum battles as the game progressed.
That was enough for head coach Simon Raiwalui and his coaching team to know what they needed to do before they faced England at the weekend in London.
He wanted more consistency, raising the tempo of their game, and accuracy against the English.
It worked well and the Fijians defeated England for the fist time in history.
Viliame Mata in action against France Photo: Fiji Rugby Union
History shows that in 1977 the Fijians tamed the mighty British Lions in Suva.
Sunday morning's 30-22 victory was sweeter as it was achieved at Twickenham, in front of over 60,000 fans and millions more who watched the feat on live television.
That included Wales and Australia coaches Warren Gatland and Eddie Jones who must have had a few unsettling moment watching on.
Raiwalui and his captain Waisea Nayacalevu both pointed to the team taking time to re-connect with their people as the foundation which has created bonds within the team.
Early in their preparations, the coach surprised many when he stated he was taking the squad to Taveuni Island, north of capital Suva.
His motive was to get away from the business of the city, the disturbances offered by modern technology and instead to be with villagers, eat their food, speak with them and sleep in community halls.
Following the one week on the island the team then moved to Nadi, the home base of the Fijian Drua, and used the sand dunes of Sigatoka as their training ground.
Coaching panel
Raiwalui knows what it takes to be going to the World Cup, as he played for Fiji at the 1999 World Cup.
He also has a fair idea of how the European countries play their rugby, having spent around 10 years playing club rugby there, including in France.
In his coaching team he has former players who have tasted World Rugby success as well - at least in getting Wales and South Africa scared at earlier tournaments.
Graham Dewes, who scored the winning try against the Welsh when they beat them 38-34 in Nantes, France in 2007, is the team's scrum coach.
Seremaia Bai, who also played in that famous win, is the team's kicking coach, helping out with the young Caleb Muntz, who recorded a 100 percent conversion rate against England.
New Zealand's Glen Jackson, a former player and referee, is an assistant coach, joining one of Fiji's most successful local coach Senirusi Seruvakula.
Seruvakula was Fiji's national women's coach when they won the 2022 Super Rugby Women's Championship and the Fijian Drua when they won the Australia National Regional Championship in 2018. He has also coached the Fijian Warriors to success in the World Rugby Pacific Championship competition, including earlier this year.
Team manager is former Flying Fijians hooker Bill Gadolo, with former assistant coach Joji Rinakama as the team's spiritual mentor.
Fitness guru Nacanieli Cawanibuka, who helped the Fiji 7s teams to gold medals at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games is the team's strength and conditioning coach. He is also the mastermind behind the Fijian Drua's physical status in the Super Rugby Pacific Championship.
Caleb Muntz, holding ball, made his debut for the Flying Fijians in the 2023 Pacific Nations Cup opener against Tonga Photo: Facebook / Fiji Rugby
The players
When Raiwalui announced the final 33-member squad for the World Cup a lot of critics took to social media to question his exclusion of veteran flyhalf Ben Volavola, Drua flanker Joe Tamani, utility Vilimoni Botitu and experienced No.8 Peceli Yato.
Instead he selected Caleb Muntz and Teti Tela, from the Drua franchise, as his two flyhalf options.
Muntz has been a revelation so far and stood his ground against both France and England.
Eighteen Drua players are in the squad, with a mix of players who play their rugby across Europe and Reds Super Rugby prop Peni Ravai.
Ravai, especially, is one player of interest.
He was sent home in 2022 because of a neck injury that threatened to end his career.
French newspaper La Montage stated in 2022 about Ravai: "Peni Ravai should leave ASM Clermont for medical reasons. Injured in the neck in recent weeks, Ravai should no longer be able to play rugby in France."
But he was signed up by the Reds this year and has featured in the Flying Fijians campaign with sterling performances, ensuring he is also in France.
The Reds have also rewarded him with a new contract in 2024.
Fiji will not be lacking in speed and enterprise in the backline with the likes of co-captains Waisea Nayacalevu and Semi Radradra's midfield combination standing out against England.
Wingers Jiuta Wainiqolo, Vinaya Habosi and Josua Tuisova all play club rugby in France.
Player of the Match against England, Selesitino Ravutaumada, is one destined for great things at the World Cup.
His speed off the mark, agility and ability to beat defenders with sidesteps makes him a hard player to stop.
It will be interesting to see who Raiwalui will pit against Wales in their first pool match on September 11 in Bordeaux.
He has stated previously that player selection is his headache but a good one to have because of the talented pool of players he has to chose from.
The Flying Fijians in France, August 2023 Photo: Fiji Rugby Union
Fiji's chances
Now they head into the world meet ranked seventh in the world - ahead of both Wales and Australia who they will meet in pool play.
While that is a great achievement, it will now be something that will keep them on their toes.
Fans have celebrated the win over England and have seen both Wales and Australia struggle through their campaigns.
In their eyes their Flying Fijians have a great opportunity to finish in the top two of the pool and head into the quarterfinals.
But the reality is it is the Rugby World Cup.
What has transpired over the last few weeks as far as results go will not count on the day.
However, there is silent confidence too that this might be Fiji's year to break some new records and create history in France.
If they can replicate what they did against France and England in their pool matches then it will definitely be history re-visited.
The people of Fiji will be watching their gladiators with interest.
