Fiji and Wallabies will survive Rugby World Cup ‘Pool of Death’, says George Smith
FORMER Wallaby George Smith believes Fiji will knock out England and Wales, progressing with Australia from the World Cup’s ‘Pool of Death’.
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​FORMER Wallabies flanker George Smith has stirred the pot by predicting Fiji will deliver the last rites to England and Wales at the Rugby World Cup and knock them both out of the “Pool of Death”.
Pool A at next month’s World Cup is comfortably the most difficult, with four of the five teams — including Australia — ranked in the world’s top ten but with only two finals spots available at the end of the round-robin.
Most expect hosts England, Wales and the Wallabies to engage in a three-way battle for the playoffs berths but Smith has a considerably different view.
He believes Fiji will provide the biggest upset in World Cup history and tip both England and Wales out of the competition.
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“It’s going to be extremely competitive in, as they say, the pool of death. The English and Welsh, from what I’m led to believe, have been training extremely well while Australia have won the Rugby Championship. But I think Fiji are going to go through with Australia,” Smith told Walesonline.co.uk.
“I played against a number of their players in the French Top 14 last season while I was with Lyon and they are very good.
“Apart from in 2011, Fiji seem to perform well in World Cup tournaments. They put the Welsh out in 2007 and nearly beat the eventual champions South Africa in the quarterfinals.
“Anybody who underestimates Fiji will be in trouble. I have known their coach John McKee for a number of years and have been impressed in how he brings players together and manages them.
“With Fiji that is the key because when they are happy they perform. John is very good at that, as you can see from the results because they have performed well and improved in the last couple of years.”
Smith missed out on selection in the Wallabies World Cup squad, despite the 111-Test cap flanker being eligible under the ARU’s new overseas-based guideline.
But the new Wasps forward has spoken to Cheika and will be on standby in the UK.
Smith told walesonline.co.uk he believes the Wallabies have the ability to win a record third World Cup.
“I think they have prepared well and have got the players to do that. They play well as a team and it shows the respect the players have got for the coach Michael Cheika that they all want to play for him,” Smith said.
“He’s a person who is a good man-manager and tells the players straight. That’s what you like from a coach, some home truths rather than talk around a problem.
“I hope us winning both previous finals on British soil is an omen. Players will be aware of what’s happened in the past and take motivation from that.
“I believe Australia will win the World Cup but I hope they aren’t facing New Zealand in the final.”
Originally published as Fiji and Wallabies will survive Rugby World Cup ‘Pool of Death’, says George Smith