2023 Rugby World Cup Predictions

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Wales vs Fiji Predictions - Fiji can upset the odds against Wales

Ralph Staniforth

Editor

Last updated: 05 Sep 2023

Ralph Staniforth 05 Sep 2023

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Watch Wales vs Fiji in the Rugby World Cup on Sunday (21:00 SAST)
Wales have lost 3 of their last 4 games
Can Fiji upset the odds against the Welsh?

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Fiji can uspet the odds in their opening 2023 Rugby World Cup fixture (Getty images)

Wales vs Fiji Preview

Wales are slight favourites with the handicap at five points, but this is a huge match for both sides. I fancy Fiji to put in a big performance as beat Wales.

Wales vs Fiji Preview
Head to Head
Wales Form
Wales Injuries & Team News
Fiji Form
Fiji Injuries & Team News

Wales have lost 3 of their last 4 matches.
Fiji have won 4 of their last 5 matches.
Fiji beat Wales in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Head to Head

Wales have won 12 of their 14 games against Fiji so should be confident. However, Fiji have beaten Wales in the World Cup before, way back in 2007.

While Wales have won by plenty on occasion, the vast majority of games against Fiji are reasonably close.

Wales Form

Wales are not coming into this World Cup full of confidence. It has been a horrible two years for them but the return of Warren Gatland ahead of the Six Nations this year is perhaps starting to bear some fruit.

Wales were poor in the Six Nations as they finished fifth, beating only Italy, and they were slightly fortunate to do so. Their three warm-up games, or at least two of them, has provided some positives though.

The Welsh beat England 20-9 at home before losing 19-17 away to the same opposition the following week. It was; however, a much-weakened Wales team and they really should have won the game.

Gatland then fielded an experimental side against South Africa, a match they lost 52-16.

Wales Injuries & Team News

Warren Gatland will be very wary of Fiji and the threat they provide. This game will be won upfront for Wales so expect a strong pack and perhaps a 6-2 bench split.

Fiji Form

Fiji have been a revelation this year, well, they always are really. They are an exciting team to watch, a team everyone supports as their “second” team. While they’re still exciting, they are more than just that in 2023.

For the first time in what feels like forever, Fiji have had some more time together. And they now have a team in Super Rugby which allows them to build some continuity.

The benefit of this has been proven in recent weeks. Fiji comfortably beat Samoa, Tonga, and Japan in their first three warm-up games. That was followed by a 34-17 loss to France, but the performance was still that of a team very capable.

In their final warm-up game, Fiji produced a huge shock as they beat a full-strength England side 30-22 at Twickenham. That result will send shivers down the spine of many sides despite the poor recent form of England.

Fiji Injuries & Team News

Fiji have a real chance of progressing to the quarter-final and beyond. Perhaps their best chance yet so they will certainly have their strongest side out there.

Verdict

Wales v Fiji

Fiji have shown their class by beating England recently. I can see them winning this against the odds.

Fiji +5

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