Rugby World Cup: Fiji’s Waratahs discard Ben Volavola to remind Michael Cheika of his talent

A STYLISH playmaker brushed by Michael Cheika at the Waratahs is poised to give the Wallabies coach a sharp reminder of his talent in their World Cup clash against Fiji.

Flyhalf Ben Volavola takes a pass during Waratahs training in the leadup to their saturday match against the British & Irish Lions at Allianaz Stadium , Moore Park

A stylish playmaker brushed by Michael Cheika for two seasons at the Waratahs is poised to give the Wallabies coach a sharp reminder of his talent in their opening World Cup clash against Fiji.

Ben Volavola has experienced a remarkable few months by going from Sydney club rugby with Southern Districts to playing for Fiji at the World Cup, having elected to move on from NSW and declare eligibility for his home country.

In between, there was also the small matter of the 24-year-old signing for Kiwi powerhouse team the Crusaders as the replacement for legendary All Black five-eighth Dan Carter.

Volavola has played five Tests for Fiji since debuting in July, and sharing the no. 10 role with Josh Matevesi, took the dangerous side to a Pacific Nations Cup title last month with an undefeated record against Tonga, Samoa and Japan.

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Ben Volavola during his time with the Waratahs.

“He is a very good player, a high quality player,” Fijian-raised Wallaby Henry Speight said.

“The only thing that has been missing for the Fijian team in the past couple of years is a quality ten and that is exactly what they have gained with Ben.”

Volavola moved to Australia with his mum a decade ago, and burst onto the Super Rugby scene as a fullback for NSW in 2013.

His bench impact was so good Volavola even forced Cheika to move Israel Folau to the wing but he fell out of favour almost as quickly, and played only seven games in total.

After training fulltime with the Tahs in 2014 and 2015 without game time, Volavola was approached by the Crusaders and he took up the invitation of Fiji coach John McKee to join his squad as well.

The Fiji side are being rated as the giant-killers of the 2015 World Cup, particularly in the already treacherous pool of death, pool A.

Matevesi has worn the no. 10 in the past three Tests and the Ospreys pivot looks like he’ll take the reins in the opening World Cup match against hosts England at Twickenham on September 19.

But the Fijians have to back up and play against the Wallabies five days later, and then Wales a week later.

McKee has hinted he has workload plans in place and assuming he’ll field a top side against England and Wales — the team they’ll target for an upset — Volavola could be asked to steer Fiji around against the Wallabies in London on September 24.

“They will be a very dangerous team with him in the side,” Speight said.

“It goes to show you how valuable a recruit the Crusaders have picked up as well, being Dan Carter’s substitute. It speaks volumes for what he can do and the potential he has got. He will be a huge asset for them.”

Speight, who left Fiji as a youngster to play rugby in New Zealand before being signed by the Brumbies in 2010, said he believed Fiji were a team to be respected at this World Cup.

“The best thing for us is that we don’t play them in the first game. England could be in for a tough game at Twickenham,” Speight said.

“They are a dangerous team. I look at their backs at the moment, they have firepower from 9-15, and even all the reserves as well.”

Giant Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo.

Fiji, ranked ninth in the world and armed with stars like Nemani Nadolo, capped off their World Cup preparations by beating Canada in London at the weekend.

They have to play England, Australia and Wales within the space of two weeks but McKee said this week he believed they had the side to make some waves.

“We’ve got a very talented group of players, and the pleasing thing coming into our campaign is that quite a number of our players have been in very good form for their clubs, playing at the highest levels of the game in European club competitions particularly, but also Super Rugby,” McKee said.

“The challenge is to bring all those players together, and for the challenges ahead is to make sure we’re at our absolute best. If we’re at our absolute best, we can challenge these teams.

“We know it’s a big challenge, and we need to be at our best to get the results we want.”

England coach Stuart Lancaster said this week he won’t be caught unawares by focusing on the pool of death talk and ignoring the threat of Fiji in the opening game.

“Everyone talks to me about Wales and Australia, but it is Fiji only for me. They will be happy going into the match as underdogs.

“They have been in camp a long time and won the Pacific Nations Cup and performed well against Canada, winning all their lineout ball and scrummaging strongly. They also have the flair players to back this up.”

Originally published as Rugby World Cup: Fiji’s Waratahs discard Ben Volavola to remind Michael Cheika of his talent