Fijian Nemani Nadolo was one of Super Rugby's form backs. Photo / Getty
Fijian Nemani Nadolo was one of Super Rugby's form backs. Photo / Getty
Since his appointment 3 years ago as head coach, Stuart Lancaster has worked hard on repairing England's rotten culture, defining their national identity and persuading players to buy into it as a unifying cause.
John McKee faced no such onerous task when he became Fiji's head coach last year. He had "vanua" upon which he could call. The direct English translation is "land", but it is a far wider concept than that.
Nicky Little, the former Fiji No10, says that it might be better defined as belonging. "It is hard for Westerners to get their heads around, but it is how Islanders are when they come together. In the nicest way, it is about not caring about your problems, having fun. It doesn't matter if we are in suits or flip-flops, everybody is invited."
It is why Oakland Park Hotel in Weybridge echoed with the sounds of giggling fits yesterday, just two days before the biggest match in the country's history, against England. As McKee confirms, vanua is a powerful force.
"Our players have a fierce pride in representing their country, and that's a big motivator for them," he said. "Everyone talks about team-building, but I think that comes more naturally with the Pacific Island players. It's the societal traditions they have.
"Western societies have become very individualistic, whereas Fijian society is still very much based on the vanua, which is where they come from and their family-based values. In terms of team-building, it's very easy. I've had experience with other pro teams, where a lot of time can be spent on team-building, because the players have a more individualistic outlook."
It would be easy for Fiji to focus on all the disadvantages that they face at this World Cup. They are the only country who must play England at Twickenham and Wales at the Millennium Stadium, while most players will be lucky to break even at this tournament (providing their clubs have not docked their wages). In contrast, their English counterparts stand to land 5 million ($12.2 million) if they win the tournament.
"If it comes down to a financial decision then perhaps the player wouldn't represent Fiji," McKee said. "That's not a motivator for them."
Stuart Lancaster, the England head coach, issues instructions. Photo / Getty
Established Fijian stars such as Semesa Rokoduguni are tempted to pledge their allegiance to foreign flags.
McKee said: "We were tracking his [Rokoduguni's] form and he was the form winger in the Premiership for quite a while last season. If he wasn't capped by England he could well have made our World Cup team."
Admirably, Fiji's coaches and players have steadfastly resisted the temptation to rail against injustice. They believe in themselves. As they should.
The Bath-bound halfback Niko Matawalu and the Glasgow lock Leone Nakarawa belong in any hypothetical World XV discussion, while the 120kg, goal-kicking wing Nemani Nadolo is a force of nature like no other at this tournament.
"Nemani was in great form during the Super Rugby series and was probably one of the form wingers of the tournament, so we hope he can bring some of that to us," McKee said. "But we have plenty of strengths in our backline.
"The athleticism, speed and the strength of our players is a point of difference from most teams we play against, but you need to do the work in winning the ball and controlling the other areas of the game to able to utilise those strengths," he said.
McKee made one change from the team who defeated Canada 47-18 in their final warm-up game, with Ben Volavola replacing Josh Matavesi at first-five. Akapusi Qera, the former Gloucester flanker, will captain the team from openside as one of two survivors from the starting XV who defeated Wales 38-34 at the 2007 World Cup. They know how to cause giants to slip, tumble and fall.
"I can't talk for what is happening in the England camp, but I would imagine England have a very high goal for the competition and with that comes pressure," McKee said.
"Maybe there is more pressure on England in the opening game than Fiji.
"I believe with the talent we have in the team that we are good enough to make the playoffs. Yes, we have a mountain to climb in terms of the teams we need to overcome but, if we bring our best game, we can challenge these teams."
