Category News

Wales vs. Fiji in the 2025 World Rugby World Cup

Exeter, Sandy Park Date: Saturday, September 6 Kick-off: 14:45 BST

On first glance, Wales vs. Fiji appears to be a pointless dead rubber in a World Cup weekend full of heavyweight fights and deciders.

However, if you delve a little deeper, you’ll discover some interesting subplots in this first-ever Test match between the two sides, which attracted a 15, 000-person sell-out Sandy Park crowd.

After suffering heartbreaking defeats by Scotland and Canada, Wales now have one last chance to prove their professional worth.

While Fiji, under the direction of former Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham, will undoubtedly enjoy their chances against a team that is neither confident nor in form.

Cunningham said he had no feelings for Wales after his controversial departure last year, but he would still like to see his former side reunited.

It is challenging to call. Only Carys Phillips, the hooker for Wales, has played almost twice as many Tests as Fiji, who has only ever played 45.

After receiving knocks in the opening round against Scotland, Wales head coach Sean Lynn has had a reshuffle. Co-captains Alex Callender and Kate Williams both made their first appearances in the starting lineup.

In place of Molly Reardon, experienced hooker Carys Phillips has been used to stabilize Wales’ sluggish lineout.

Kayleigh Powell, a sevens player for Great Britain, makes her debut after scoring well against Canada. In place of Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Wales’ top player Nel Metcalfe switches to the wing and she is named at full-back.

Ioan Cunningham, the head coach of Fiji, has also made adjustments, some of which have been forced through suspensions and injuries.

After receiving a three-game ban for a dangerous tackle against Scotland, vice-captain Bilita Tawake is unavailable and Keleni Marawa takes the hooker position.

Asinate Serevi, the daughter of Fijian rugby king Waisale Serevi, gets a start at lock, while Karalaini Naisewa also makes a new appearance in the front row.

Wales manager Lynn stated, “We want to make sure we’re finishing the tournament on a high.”

“It appears as though both teams will hit each other in the head.” I’m hoping we come out on top, but I’ve asked the girls to leave [the pitch] crawling.

I believed that Fiji gave a very strong performance in the match against Scotland.

“When they have the ball in their hands, they’re very exciting, and it’s just making sure we’re looking after it, going through the phases, and testing them in defense as well.”

Wales co-captain Alex Callender stated: “The tournament hasn’t gone according to plan, results haven’t gone our way, but we want to win this game to show how talented we are and how hard we’ve worked over the past few months.

We have had to make some adjustments, but the team we’ve assembled is a strong one, we’ve put together some strong pairings, and we’ve given credit to some players who have done a lot of training, according to Fiji head coach Cunningham.

It will give us a fantastic opportunity to challenge Wales if we can get our foundations and fundamentals right.

“She’ll be under pressure kicking if we can shut down [George]’s] time and space, but I’m sure they’ll look at it more like a territory and set piece game where we want the ball in hand a little more.

Asinate Serevi, a Fiji lock, said, “We’re reminding each other that we need to end on a high when we play Wales this weekend.”

We’re looking forward to the chemistry, because we won’t know until we play them how good a team is.

In Sean Lynn’s team’s opening two games, things couldn’t have gone much worse, and this game has the potential to worsen Welsh rugby’s overall state.

Replacements: Gwenllian Pyrs, Donna Rose, Abbie Fleming, Bryonie King, Seren Lockwood, Hannah Dallavalle, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Molly Reardon, Gwenllian Pyrs, Donna Rose, Abbie Fleming,

Fijian: Litiana Vueti, Repeka Tove, Verenaisi Ditavutu, Josifini Neihamu, Kolora Lomani, Salanieta Kinita, Setaita Railumu, Karalaini Naisewa, Keleni Marawa, Vika Matarugu, Jade Coates, Asinate Serevi, Nunia Daunimoala, Alfreda Fisher (capt),

Assistants: Jess Ling (RA), Lauren Jenner (FIR), and Jess Ling (RA).

Andrew McMenemy (SRU) TMO

Pool B of the Rugby World Cup for Women: Canada v. Scotland

Date: Saturday, September 6th, 2019 Kick-off: 12:00 BST

Scotland believe they can turn on Canada in Exeter on Saturday, which would give it a shock of a shock shock shock, and it is this kind of shock that only gives a tournament.

The gap between these two positions is much larger than those four ranking spots, despite the fact that second versus sixth in the world rankings does not immediately leap off the page like a typical David v. Goliath game.

It’s very difficult to imagine that the tournament winners won’t be from that quartet because of the tournament favorites England, New Zealand, and, when the mood strikes, France.

The Canadians defeated Fiji (65 ), Wales (42), and Japan (42), in a ruthless manner, to start the World Cup like a train.

There is undoubtedly a gulf between them and Scotland, but the underdogs believe there can be a solution, even for one game.

Why the hell not try them when we’re going into this weekend, we’re like, “Wow, why not?” “,” prop Lisa Cockburn remarked.

“We are aware that Canada has a really good setup and a really good playing style.” They are very quick, very skilled, and will throw the kitchen sink at us.

We’ve done a lot of analysis on them, we’ve got a really good game plan, and it’s working now. It has been specifically designed for each game.

“So I’m really optimistic, and I think, why not upend the World Cup and possibly upend a few people,” I said.

The only thing Scotland can do is avoid the top one team in the quarter-finals if they can defeat the number two team in the world.

In the last eight, where their journey would surely come to an end, would Scotland, as expected, come in second in Pool B behind Canada. A Scottish victory over England in their own competition would be a shock equal to anything that had ever happened at a World Cup, whether it was for women or men.

Better to choose a different course, one that would place the United States or Australia in the quarter-final. Still a challenging task, but not quite the Red Roses’ impossible mission.

Head coach Bryan Easson, who will soon be retiring, spoke this week about “routes to the semi-final and final,” which is bold talk for a team that has been mired in off-field chaos this week.

Scotland’s victories over Wales and Fiji have given them the opportunity to pursue a unique endeavor thanks to the likes of Francesca McGhie, Rhona Lloyd, and Emma Orr.

A victory over Canada would be unique in and prepare them for a campaign that will endure forever.

“You want to take on the best, and Canada are undoubtedly up there as one of the best, if not the best team in this tournament right now,” Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm said.

We are aware of the challenge that lies ahead, but that makes us happy. We as Scots adore that underdog mindset. It will be two competing for the title because I am aware that Canadians also consider themselves to be underdogs.

“We’re looking at this game as an opportunity to go out there and deliver an even better performance than we did in the opening two games,” said the team.

If there is one surname to strike fear into American golf it is surely “Poulter” with Ian having been at the centre of so much European success on a biennial basis.

Now it is the turn of the Ryder Cup legend’s 21-year-old son Luke to try to do something similar and thwart US hopes of retaining the Walker Cup at Cypress Point in California this weekend.

Fresh from starring in Great Britain & Ireland’s victory over Continental Europe in the St Andrews Trophy, Poulter makes his debut in the 50th Walker Cup as GB&I seek an away win for only the third time.

Who better to inspire upsetting the form book than someone with the genes of Poulter Snr, whose heroics helped Europe complete the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ when they came from 10-4 down to win the 2012 Ryder Cup.

Ian Poulter will be supporting his son over the two days of competition having shared dinner with him and his nine team-mates earlier in the week.

“Being able to talk to him about the Ryder Cup and his experiences, having the chance to ask him questions and what it means and how to play these events, how to deal with the pressure has been so important,” said Tyler Weaver, GB&I’s highest ranked player.

Team-mate Niall Shiels Donegan, who beat Luke Poulter at the recent US Amateur Championship, added: “Dinner with Ian was really special.

“Obviously he’s done a lot in team golf, and it was pretty cool to get some lessons from him.”

Luke, who won three-and-a-half points out of four at the St Andrews Trophy, says he will try to use his father’s exploits in the Ryder Cup – 15 wins from 25 matches between 2004 and 2021- as a motivating force.

“He never played a Walker Cup but he obviously has Ryder Cup knowledge, which is pretty similar to this,” said the younger Poulter, who had a hole-in-one at Cypress Point’s par-three third in Thursday practice.

“It’s amazing to see (his achievements). It gives me inspiration to try and follow in his footsteps.”

Having climbed to 27th in the amateur world rankings, the University of Florida student has already demonstrated many of his father’s golfing traits. It is also clear they share the same “never say die” attitude.

“I just like that head-to-head battle because it’s just you and the opponent on the golf course,” he told the R&A website. “You don’t have to think about anything, you just go hole by hole and try and beat them.

“And then with the team stuff, it’s just really cool. I just love when everyone’s supporting you and everyone’s pulling for you.”

GB&I lost a tight contest at St Andrews two years ago and the Walker Cup will again be staged at an iconic venue this weekend. Cypress Point was designed by Alister Mackenzie, the architect who laid out the Augusta National, home of the Masters.

For Shiels Donegan there is a degree of familiarity. The son of Scottish parents grew up near San Francisco and received vociferous local support during his run to the US Amateur semi-finals at the city’s Olympic Club.

“I’m fortunate to have grown up not too far from here, a few hours north, so I hope that they’ll come out in force again and have some more fun,” he said.

“Having grown up on the poa greens, it does give me a little bit of extra feel, but of course they’re going to be running firm and fast for everyone.

“You’re going to have to adapt to the conditions as you see them, and yeah, just do your best that you can.”

GB&I’s most recent win came at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2015. Their last away victory was at Sea Island in Georgia 24 years ago.

So the Americans are firm favourites to retain the trophy, but their captain Nathan Smith is taking nothing for granted. “I think this is one of their best teams that I’ve seen in a while,” he said.

“I think the matches are always close, and it’s going to be a big test for us this week.”

Smith’s team is stacked with talent. It includes the top six in the amateur world rankings; Jackson Koivan, Ben James, Ethan Fang, Jase Summy, Preston Stout and Tommy Morrison.

GB&I captain Dean Robertson has been taking a measured approach to the week, pacing his players’ preparations. He will be encouraged by the recent form of Scot Cameron Adam, who finished in the top 20 at the recent British Masters.

Robertson knows this weekend has to be a collective effort with an astute game plan. “The key messages we’ve had have been strategy number one,” the Scottish skipper revealed.

“Approach play, short iron approach play and specific distances where you need to position the ball under hole high have been things that we’ve been working on for a good number of weeks.

“Also, through developing the relationship and understanding of these players and the respect of them, we’ve really managed to bring them together, and there’s a real unity there.

“I’m really thrilled to be their captain, really proud, and I’m really excited for the match itself.”

There are 26 points up for grabs with GB&I needing 13½ points to regain the title, while the US need 13 to retain.