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NANTES - Fiji captain Mosese Rauluni believes a newly discovered fighting spirit allied to the islanders' traditional running flair could be an explosive combination in their rugby World Cup quarterfinal against South Africa.
Fiji reached the last eight for the first time in 20 years with a stunning 38-34 upset of Wales yesterday (NZT) and now face a much stiffer task against a team ranked as second favourites behind the All Blacks.
"It's a big challenge. They're a great team and a great pack and the game Samoa played against them just shows you have to play the full 80 minutes," Rauluni said.
"Our boys did that against Wales and came up with the goods.
"Some other Fijian teams in the past probably would have lost that game. I'm so proud of the boys for the way they fought up until the 81st minute."
South Africa will be overwhelming favourites against the Fijians who they beat comfortably in their only previous test in 1996.
But the Fijians are taking heart from the way that Tonga played against the Springboks in this World Cup where they only lost by five points and could have snatched a famous win in the closing seconds.
"Anything's possible," Rauluni said.
"Tonga took them to the wire so the general feeling is why can't we?"
Fiji will have to do without first five-eighth Nicky Little, who has been ruled out for six weeks after straining medial ligaments in his right knee against Wales.
"He's pretty disappointed. He's out for six weeks. Hopefully he can hang around and encourage the boys because we need his expertise," Rauluni said.
"His kicking (18 points) won the game for us against Wales.
"It just shows how important a goalkicker is. He's been there for 11 years and served his country well and hopefully he will be there for some time to come."
Rauluni said Fiji's push to the last eight might have surprised many in the game but not him.
"We planned on making the top eight. That was our team goal, everyone agreed on that and we've made it now.
"The job's not over, we can set another goal and go for the semis, which would probably be the greatest thing for Fijian rugby."
Fiji play South Africa in Marseille next Monday morning (NZT).
- AFP
