'Not too worried' - Fiji planning major upset for Ireland in Dublin

Fiji co-captain Tevita Ikanivere says a series of landmark scalps of Test rugby’s leading nations has fuelled belief his in-form side can claim a historic first victory over Ireland.

The Pacific Islanders travelled to Dublin brimming with confidence on the back of six wins from seven games and having upset England, Australia and Wales during the past 15 months.

Fiji have lost each of their previous five meetings with Six Nations champions Ireland, including a 35-17 defeat in 2022 on their last visit to the Aviva Stadium.

“Once you achieve success, it’s hard not to believe that you can go further,” hooker Ikanivere told the PA news agency.

“Once you taste success, you just want to keep going to the next step and trying to achieve the next big thing, and that’s what this team is about now: trying to move and get better and move forward.

“To come and make history, be the first Fijian side to beat the Irish, here in Ireland, would be great. That’s the goal, that’s the plan.

“We take confidence in the work we’ve done and the hard work we’ve put in through the week and hopefully we come out here tomorrow and (claim) a historic win.”

Fiji stunned Twickenham in August last year by registering a maiden success over England before ending their 69-year wait to defeat the Wallabies thanks to a pool-stage triumph at the Rugby World Cup in France.

Earlier this month, Mick Byrne’s men piled more misery on Warren Gatland’s beleaguered Wales with a milestone first win in Cardiff.

“We like playing tier one nations, getting challenged and I think the boys are up for it,” continued

Fiji player Tevita Ikanivere makes a point during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Fiji and Portugal at Stadium de Toulouse on October 08, 2023 in Toulouse, France. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

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“We’ve trained well through the week in the cold, in the rain, and we’re looking forward to coming out tomorrow and putting on a show for everybody.”

Ireland have made an underwhelming start to the autumn, slipping off the top of the world rankings after a deflating 23-13 defeat to New Zealand and then scraping a 22-19 win over Argentina.

Head coach Andy Farrell has made seven personnel changes for the visit of Fiji, including handing debuts to hooker Gus McCarthy and flanker Cormac Izuchukwu and a first international start to 21-year-old fly-half Sam Prendergast.

“We’re not too worried about what changes they make, it’s still the Irish team, it’s still top three in the world,” said 25-year-old Ikanivere.

“They don’t make changes and drop down the rankings.

“We’ve previewed the team and hopefully everything we’ve previewed and worked on through the week will work tomorrow against them here.”