Fiji understands the power of victory against England on Sunday extends beyond the opportunity for the side to play in their first World Cup semi-final.
Head coach Simon Raiwalui has named a powerful side to face the English, boosted by the return of Semi Radradra on the wing after overcoming a hamstring injury.
Watch every game of the Rugby World Cup LIVE on Stan Sport. Start watching Stan Sport now.
"It's massive for our country,” Raiwalui explained to reporters. “We are a nation of 900,000 people that lives and breathes rugby, and I don't know how many Fijians worldwide. We had massive support from the French, from the people who come to the ground. We really want to enjoy the occasion and show our best rugby."
It’s the first time in 16 years the nation of just under one million people will feature in the quarter-finals, going down to eventual champions South Africa in the last iteration of the event in France.
"It means everything to us,” captain Waisea Nayacalevu said.
“I know it has been 16 years since we have been in the quarter-finals and I told the boys the chance is in front of us and this moment will never come back so we will grab it with both hands, take responsibility and do the best we can.” However, Raiwalui and Nayacalevu know victory could leave a legacy that lasts even longer and spread further than the 18,300 square kilometres that make up the nation.
The 2023 World Cup has been defined by the closing of the gap between “tier one and two” teams to the point where the terms are nearly redundant.
Neighbours Samoa nearly upset England last week, going down by a point whilst Uruguay pushed hosts France all the way in Lille.
Even Fiji, considered one of the better “emerging nations” was upset by Portugal, who claimed their first win in World Cup history.
This has accelerated talks about expanding the tournament to 24 teams whilst shining the spotlight on the lack of game time these nations are receiving as the push for a ‘World League’ format in 2026 for tier-one nations develops rapidly.
A win for the Fijians on Sunday (local time) would make the push of emerging nations undeniable, the first of the non-established premier nations of World Rugby (Six Nations and Rugby Championship teams) to make it into the semi-final.
"First and foremost I'm proud to be a Fijian but I am also proud of the so-called developing nations, pushing for the global game, how we can improve it and get more opportunities, how we break that barrier down,” Raiwalui believes.
"I think this World Cup has been a fantastic example of other teams coming in and playing fantastic rugby and putting on a spectacle for the world. We are proud of where we come from and we want to embrace that."
There’s no doubt they can do it, with ten players in the starting side featuring in the win over the English in Twickenham.
Winger Radradra understands the pressure facing the side better than most, playing in big matches across union and league during his decade-long career.
After seemingly feeling the occasion against Georgia and Portugal, the powerhouse winger wants the side to embrace the moment and opportunity that awaits.
"The way we motivate the young boys is just because we’ve been stuck together from day one,” he said. “We have so much talent from the Fiji boys, especially back home. Only a few are chosen, those boys they have big shoes to fill.
"The bonding has been very good with the team. It’s lifted the morale for the boys as well. We’ve been helping with the little things as well, outside rugby. The boys are looking good and looking forward to the game this week.
"For us as Fijians when we smile, nothing can stop us. For this week we have to enjoy it, make the most of it because, like we’ve always said, this moment will never come back. The quarter-final will never come back. Day by day, we take those days and we grab it with both hands, learn from it and then we keep improving."
