England begins tough route with Fiji

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Posted: Tuesday October 19, 1999 03:46 PM

Martin Johnson: "Fiji may come from the same part of the world but they have a totally different team and many moe strengths." Mike Hewitt/Allsport

LONDON (AP) -- England sets out on a treacherous route to the World Cup final against Fiji, knowing that to go all the way it probably will have to beat four Southern Hemisphere sides.

And with the winner of Wednesday's playoff facing the Springboks in Paris four days later, England coach Clive Woodward knows he must now tap players throughout his squad.

Woodward has made seven changes -- one of them positional -- to play Fiji and is confident of a win.

But after France had to come from behind to beat Fiji in its Group C decider, the English players know they will be punished for complacency.

"The Fijians are brilliant rugby players with outstanding natural talent -- they are awesomely strong and very quick," said Austin Healy, who will move in from the wing to scrumhalf so that Matt Dawson can be rested.

"A couple of mistakes cost them the game against France," Healey said. "They went into that match with a clear idea of what was required, and their game plan looked like it was working for a long time.”

Coached by New Zealander Brad Johnstone, Fiji has become a tougher, more disciplined side and was unlucky not to beat France to qualify automatically for the quarterfinals, losing a lead in the last 20 minutes.

Johnstone says that even though England looks the favorite on paper he believes his side can pull off an upset.

England has played Fiji three times, winning each time between 1988 and 1991. England will again look to overwhelm the South Sea Islanders with the power of its pack, and try and cut off supply to Fiji's fearsome backs.

But skipper Martin Johnson is warning that Fiji are a different proposition now, and will be far stronger than Tonga who England beat 101-10 to qualify for the playoffs.

"We need to forget about Tonga. Fiji may come from the same part of the world but they have a totally different team and many moe strengths," Johnson said. "This game will not be won by half-time and I don't think you'll see a century on the board again this tournament."

"For years we've just thought of Fiji as a Sevens side and it would be wrong to make that mistake here," Johnson added. "The pack has hardened up, the scrummaging is solid and they win almost all their lineout ball."

To get to the final on Nov. 6, England will have to beat Fiji, South Africa, and then -- most probably -- Australia and New Zealand.

 

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