Rugby World Cup: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika wary of Fiji

THEIR back line flamboyance has seen them dubbed “the Brazil of rugby” but Michael Cheika fears another aspect of World Cup opponent Fiji’s play.

Fiji's flanker Dom Waqaniburotu is tackled by Canada's scrum half Gordon McRorie (R) during the international rugby union friendly match between Canada and Fiji, ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, at The Stoop in Twickenham, west of London, on September 6, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS

THEIR back line flamboyance has seen them dubbed “the Brazil of rugby” by UK press but Michael Cheika believes Fjii’s forward pack are the underrated and dangerous element of their first World Cup foe.

Australia’s squad will be watching closely when England take on Fiji in the opening game of the World Cup at Twickenham on Saturday morning.

The Wallabies play their Pacific Island pool mates just five days later in Cardiff and even though England coach Stuart Lancaster yesterday named a full-strength side, a few Aussies are quietly happy they don’t have to face the fired-up Fijians first up.

Fiji are regarded as the wildcard in Pool A; in form and full of belief they can beat one of their major rivals: Wales, England or Australia.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said he’d be keenly watching on when England start their campaign.

“I will be watching Fiji, obviously, because we play them four days later so we will get a good look at them,” Cheika said.

“We will be looking to see what Fiji try against them. Everyone is talking about their backs but you wouldn’t want to underestimate their forward pack.

“They have got a few guys who have a fair bit of experience now, playing in the northern hemisphere, and they have been conditioned to this type of rugby.

So the forward battle is the one I am interested to see there.”

With John McKee as head coach, Fiji now boast former Bulls coach Frans Ludeke as their forwards coach.

“I am sure they will be making some progress there. He is very clever and when they get the opportunity to get together and spend time together, they will be difficult to beat,” Cheika said.

Lancaster named Sam Burgess on the bench for England against Fiji, sticking with his “A” side that beat Ireland last week.

Brad Barritt and Jonathon Joseph will be paired in the middle field.

Burgess continues to be the centre of huge media attention in Britain, where many columnists and ex-players line up to declare the 26-year-old is not ready.

The Daily Telegraph revealed the desperate Rabbitohs are amassing a war chest to pay for Burgess to return next year, but Bath director of rugby, Mike Ford, said his star convert is going nowhere.

“Sam is very happy staying in rugby union,” Ford told UK newspapers.

“He is loving his England spell at the moment and he is looking forward to coming back after the World Cup and playing for us and progressing his rugby career.

“We are very happy with Sam and Sam is very happy with Bath. We want him to stay and I think he wants to stay for the long term, through to the next World Cup, for example, and he won’t be going anywhere in the meantime.”

Originally published as Rugby World Cup: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika wary of Fiji