1
Fiji coach says there's something familiar about this England team
By PA
Steve Borthwick’s England have taken on the personality of the side that unexpectedly reached the 2007 World Cup final, according to Fiji assistant coach Seremaia Bai.
England have emerged from August’s dismal warm-up campaign to reach the quarter-finals as Pool D winners on the back of four victories.
Sixteen years ago at a World Cup also hosted by France, Brian Ashton’s team overcame a poor group campaign to go within a whisker of beating South Africa in the the final.
Fiji are the next assignment for England and they enter Sunday’s Marseille showdown knowing they stormed Twickenham less than two months ago.
“It gives us great confidence going into the game that we have beaten them,” kicking coach Bai said.
“But the most important thing in a play-off is that anything can happen so we have to regroup, refocus and we will have to prepare well for this resilient English side.
“They remind me of the 2007 tournament where everybody wrote England off but they reached the final.
“They have shown how good they are, with players who have played on the big stage. We respect that and take it on board.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Initial Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury update does not sound promising
3
Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’
4
Leinster player ratings vs Connacht | 2024/25 URC
5
Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to comments