Seismologists have warned it is only a matter of time before Wales is hit by a strong earthquake. One will arrive some time on Saturday afternoon, at the moment when Nemani Nadolo and Jamie Roberts, two of the biggest centres in world rugby, first collide during Wales’s game with Fiji at the Millennium Stadium.
Roberts, 6ft 4in and 17st 5lb, has not come up against a centre as big as him – Nadolo is an inch taller and two stone heavier, although the Fiji Rugby Union puts him at 19st 9lb on its website. The Fijian, who plays for the Crusaders, is not only physically imposing but athletic: he started his career on the wing and came on at fly-half against France last week.
“It’s a bit of a man test,” Roberts said. “We have to front up and I’m looking forward to it. Nadolo is a huge physical specimen and he’s quick. I have to take that as a personal challenge and make sure he doesn’t get any go forward for Fiji because, if he does, they’ve got some very dangerous players.
“It is a bit different to facing George North, who is quite springy, because this guy comes straight at you. It’s about going through pain; you are in a world of hurt after, but it feels better in victory.”
In previous years, Wales have fielded a transparently weakened side against Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, sometimes coming unstuck, but this year Warren Gatland has named his strongest available back division. Where he has made voluntary changes is at forward, calling on players with international experience. The only future he is looking to is next year, when Fiji visit the Millennium Stadium in the World Cup.
Fiji drew on their last visit to Cardiff, in 2010, having beaten Wales in the 2007 World Cup, a match that led to the Welsh Rugby Union calling on Gatland. The islanders did not build on that success, exiting the 2011 tournament in New Zealand with barely a whimper, but they have started to move forward again this year under their new coach, John McKee, who is turning a multi-talented group of individuals into a team.
Fiji have long had the pedigree but their instinctive, rush-of-blood approach has made them more suited to sevens, where they have long excelled. They have been the opposite of the stereotypical European team who are high on organisation and structure but low on risk. McKee is changing that and against France in Marseille, Fiji had a 100% record in their lineouts and scrums.
It was behind where they were short but they are strengthened against Wales by Nadolo and his centre partner, Leicester’s Vereniki Goneva, making his first Test appearance for two years, the Stade Français wing Waisea Nayacalevu and the Ospreys’ Josh Matavesi, although the centre is playing out of position at fly-half, which his regional team-mate Justin Tipuric will look to exploit from the Wales back-row.
Matavesi said this week that Fiji’s focus was on not being individual for the sake of it, running from deep only when it was on. If they get drawn into a physical contest, they will probably lose because it is something Wales have become proficient at under Gatland. Nadolo charging at Roberts from set pieces will be expected but if he goes inside and targets Rhys Priestland, who was booed by a section of the Cardiff crowd last Saturday, he may find the right side of the gainline more accessible.
“I will back Rhys all the way,” Roberts said. “He is a top player and if he is being booed by the crowd I will take it personally. If they chuck traffic down his channel I will maybe have to help him out a bit but he can tackle and he always gives everything. Fiji have some frightening backs and we have to make sure we do not give them the opportunity to launch attacks.”
It is 50 years since Wales first played Fiji. The old Cardiff Arms Park witnessed a 13-try exhibition that, even though the visitors were reduced to 14 men after 10 minutes through injury, was far from one-sided. The flashy Fijians scored six tries, three in the final 12 minutes as they rallied from 28-9 down to finish within six points adrift.
With the roof of the Millennium Stadium closed and a new playing surface laid the conditions will suit Fiji. It will not be a test of their ability as much as one of their temperament, keeping their exuberance under control without dulling their opportunism.
The occasion may not be as seismic for Wales as the upcoming encounters against New Zealand and South Africa but it will be demanding.
