Fiji players wary of Biggar's golden boot

LONDON (Reuters) - Fiji know they must avoid handing Wales goalkicker Dan Biggar opportunities to kick points when the sides meet in Rugby World Cup Pool A in Cardiff on Thursday.

Fiji players wary of Biggar's golden boot

(Reuters)





Flyhalf Biggar scored 23 of his side's 28 points in their triumph over England at Twickenham on Saturday, succeeding with all eight attempts at goal.

"They were very good, especially the kicker Biggar," Fiji centre Gabiriele Lovobalavu told a news conference on Sunday.

"We can't afford to give away penalties in our own half or even within the 10-metre line because he kicked so well last night."

Fijian flyhalf Josh Matavesi, who plays with Biggar at Welsh club Ospreys, knows the dangers he presents.

"I know how good a kicker he is. I'm really happy for him. I'm sure England will be disappointed but they've still got a chance.

"I thought Wales played really well. They showed a lot of passion and heart, and the match showed that rugby is an 80 minute game."

Fiji have been on the wrong side of two heavy losses to England and Australia in the tournament and know they need to improve their discipline if they are to compete with Wales.

"We didn't really see anything different last night but certainly their goal-kicking is spot on, so we're going to have to be careful to be well-disciplined in our own half," said coach John Mckee.

With Biggar likely to punish any errors, Fiji's players have clearly been instructed to keep it clean.

Asked what mistakes Fiji must avoid making against Wales, prop Peni Ravai said: "Not giving away penalties, especially in our own half.

"We'll try not to give away a lot of penalties against Wales because they have a good kicker. I didn't watch the match last night but I heard (Dan) Biggar kicked 100 per cent so we've got to be careful not to give away penalties."





(Reporting by John Geddie, editing by Ed Osmond)


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world