The final match of the group stages in the 2023 Rugby World Cup will see Fiji look to secure their place in the knockout stages of the competition when they take on Portugal on Sunday at Stadium de Toulouse.
Fiji have gained millions of fans from across the globe in this year's World Cup and are one point away from heading to the last eight, while Portugal will be making their final appearance of the tournament in this match.
Match preview
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The Flying Fijians have emerged as one of the surprise packages in this competition and will be a dark horse in the knockout stages of the competition if they can manage to get the job done in this one.
As it stands, Fiji have a better points difference and are just one point behind the Wallabies, who can do nothing about the situation, having already completed their fourth match in the group stage last week.
Despite having a mixed warm-up campaign, Simon Raiwalui's side put on an incredible effort in their opening match of the competition, where they came within metres of clinching what would have been a famous win over Wales.
However, they made amends for that the following week when they claimed a historic win, beating Australia 22-15 for the first time in a Rugby World Cup event and putting them firmly in contention to grab second place in the group.
Fiji were almost shocked by Georgia in their last match and were 9-0 down at the break but battled back in the second half, with Vinaya Habosi and Waisea Nayacalevu both scoring tries to claim a come-from-behind win.
While many would have expected Raiwalui's men to win that match, it was perhaps a bit of a wake-up call, and the Fiji boss will send a stern warning to his players not to underestimate Portugal as they look to build momentum for a quarter-final clash against England.
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Portugal were one of the biggest outsiders coming into the World Cup, and while they are likely to end at the bottom of Pool C, their placement does not tell the full story of their performances in this year's competition.
Os Lobos began their tournament with a 28-8 loss to Wales before coming within a whisker of registering their first-ever World Cup win but were denied by Georgia, with the match ending level at 18-18.
Patrice Lagisquet's side were no match for Australia last weekend, losing the encounter 34-14, but they had their moments in the game and would have taken several positives, which they will look to build on over the next four years.
Portugal will now be hoping to spoil the party for Fiji, but having lost to the Pacific Islanders in their last two meetings, it seems more likely that they will have to wait a while longer for that elusive World Cup win.
Fiji Rugby World Cup form:
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- W
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Fiji form (all competitions):
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Portugal Rugby World Cup form:
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- D
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Portugal form (all competitions):
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Team News
Raiwalui announced his matchday 23 for this crucial match, which features six changes, including the addition of Vilimoni Botitu, who will be making only his second appearance for Fiji at fly-half.
Temo Manyanavanua will make his first start in the Rugby World Cup, while Meli Derenalagi is in line to make his RWC debut following an impactful test debut earlier this year.
Levani Botia has been immense for Fiji in this competition and is the only player who was present for Fiji's 2013 Test match against Os Lobos.
Portugal's usual captain Tomas Appleton finds himself on the bench as Manuel Cardoso Pinto earns a starting role at fullback for the first time in 18 months as one of five changes for their final Rugby World Cup Pool C encounter.
Francisco Fernandes comes into the starting lineup, while Steevy Cerqueira and Jose Madeira are reunited in the second row, replicating their starting roles in the 18-18 draw against Georgia earlier in the knockout phase.
Fiji starting lineup: 15. Sireli Maqala, 14. Selesitino Ravutaumada, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 12. Josua Tuisova, 11. Vinaya Habosi, 10. Vilimoni Botitu, 9. Frank Lomani, 8. Viliame Mata, 7. Levani Botia, 6. Meli Derenalagi, 5. Temo Mayanavanua, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 3. Luke Tagi, 2. Samuel Matavesi, 1. Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16. Tevita Ikanivere, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 20. Albert Tuisue, 21. Peni Matawalu, 22. Teti Tela, 23. Iosefo Masi
Portugal starting lineup: 15.Manuel Cardoso Pinto, 14. Raffaele Storti, 13. Pedro Bettencourt, 12. Jose Lima (c), 11. Rodrigo Marta, 10. Jeronimo Portela, 9. Samuel Marques, 8. Rafael Simoes, 7. Nicolas Martins, 6. David Wallis, 5. Steevy Cerqueira, 4. Jose Madeira, 3. Diogo Hasse Ferreira, 2. Mike Tadjer, 1. Francisco Fernandes
Replacements: 16. David Costa, 17. Duarte Diniz, 18. Anthony Alves, 19. Duarte Torgal, 20. Joao Granate, 21. Joao Belo, 22. Tomas Appleton, 23. Vincent Pinto
Head To Head
These sides have played each other twice in the past, and Fiji won on both occasions.
We say: Fiji 32-17 Portugal
Despite requiring just a single point to secure their spot in the last eight, potentially sending Australia home early, Fiji will not underestimate winless Portugal. We are expecting to see another spirited performance by Os Lobos, but the Flying Fijians should be too strong for the European outfit.
No Data Analysis info
Devesh Jaganath
