Fiji to stand still for RWC game against Wales on Monday

Rugby makes the Fijian nation stand still.

The BBC is reporting that is what will happen on Monday morning when a country settles down to watch their rugby heroes face Wales in the World Cup opener in Bordeaux.

Due to the time difference, Fiji's population of 900,000 on more than 100 inhabited islands will be getting up to watch the journey begin.

Fiji prop, Mesake Doge says it is a nation that will stand still, especially when it's a Rugby World Cup. He says he would imagine in the villages they will be taking their television sets up onto the hills to get reception to watch the game.

The BBC says the nation's productivity might be down even though employers are trying to persuade workers to attend their jobs with the lure of breakfast.

Doge says pretty much some people won't go to work and will just be watching the boys perform.

He says for Fijians, rugby is such a big occasion.

Social media videos of the Fiji players singing on the bus on the way to training in France emphasise the relaxed manner within the camp.

Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui outlined what the sport means to the country.

Raiwalui says rugby is a religion in Fiji. He says everybody is the coach of Fiji and has an opinion on selection.

Raiwalui says it's ingrained in our culture and our people will go to any lengths to watch the games.

He says if that means taking the boat to go up to the village or travelling to the city, they will find a way, and it is one of the beautiful things about Fiji and how it brings people together.

Former Wales boss Wayne Pivac who was the Fiji head coach between 2004 and 2007, says there are two main things in Fiji, rugby and religion.

He says rugby sevens has always been the number one sport in Fiji, followed by 15s, which he thinks has now caught up.

Pivac was often "advised" who to pick for Wales by the general public but that was slightly different in Fiji.

He says they would never give him direct advice in Fiji, the culture wouldn't allow that.

Pivac says there's a hierarchical system, so there was no way they would come and challenge you on the street. He says they would come in and respect him and say hello with a smile on their face.

He says you knew everyone had an opinion.

Welshman Gareth Baber who guided Fiji to Olympic sevens gold in 2021 says rugby is a massive source of national identity and pride.

He says every Fijian has an opinion on rugby.

Fiji are the top-ranked side in Pool C - ahead of both Australia and Wales.

[Source: BBC]

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