Fiji’s Meli Derenalagi said they will be looking to make amends heading into the final pool game today against Great Britain who looks to be the form side having remain undefeated as well, but unlike Fiji have yet to concede a point in Tokyo.
Whilst Fiji accounted for Japan 24-19 and Canada 28-14 in their opening pool games, Great Britain maintained a clean slate having accounted for the same two teams 34-0 and 24-0 respectively yesterday. On account of their victories, both Fiji and Great Britain secure their places in the quarterfinals against teams that will be decided by how they do in their match-up today.
The match-up at 12.30 pm today (Fiji Time) between the two sides will also be a repeat of the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medal play-off, but this time the winner progresses to the Cup quarters as Pool B top finisher.
“It’s a tough day at the office for us. Lots of mistakes but we are looking forward to our review and working hard tomorrow,” Derenalagi told Oceania Rugby. “It started off with our restarts, but I know the boys will pull up their socks.
“The boys have prepared well for a few months, it’s just the difference between the world stage and the Olympic stage. The best players from around the world participate here. I’m sure the boys will come out harder tomorrow (today).”
The quarterfinals scheduled to start this evening from 8.30 pm will feature the top two teams from each pool, as well as the two best third-place teams.
If Fiji finishes top of their Pool B they will take on one of the two best third-place teams but if they lose to Great Britain they take on the second-place finisher from Pool C. Pool C has South Africa, the USA, Kenya and Ireland. South Africa and the US are the form teams from their pools having remained unbeaten in their respective matches against Kenya and Ireland.
Day two of the games today starts at 12midday, with the opening game featuring Japan and Canada.
