Islanders’ captain fancies Ireland’s Cup chances
Raiwalui, at 33, is coming to the end of his career, but he still believes there is a place for a united team from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, in fact all of the other islands as well, in the rugby pecking order.
“I think the first thing is that we must concentrate on our own nations, but it’s brilliant to be able to get a team like this together. We have had a good time; it has been a new experience for a lot of the players who have been more used to challenging one another on the pitch. OK, the results didn’t go our way, but with more preparation and more time together, I’m sure the Pacific Islands team could be a force to be reckoned with on future tours,” said Raiwalui.
He went on to explain the reasons for lack of success on the tour: “For a start, I think we came here a little bit under-prepared; people weren’t totally sure whether it was happening or not. We didn’t have full access to our players, and we had some injuries; it’s not us moaning, it’s just fact.”
But as he looked ahead to next year’s World Cup, he is in no doubt that Ireland can make an impact. “It’s their best chance ever,” he suggested, “if they can keep that squad together, if they can keep them fit for all of the important games and if they can keep the form they’re displaying at the moment, they have to be one of the favourites to win the tournament.
“Everyone looks to New Zealand; there is no doubt that they have to be hot favourites, but they will have competition. If Ireland play as well as they can, and New Zealand don’t play quite as well as they are capable, Ireland could win a head to head between the two.
“Otherwise, I think Ireland are capable of beating any team in the world, although I know they are seriously worried about playing in a group that includes the hosts, France, and Argentina. But maybe Ireland have moved a little beyond the worrying point of a few years back, maybe they’re good enough to back themselves, and they have backed themselves in the recent past,” he said. Raiwalui believes Ireland, at least the first choice side, have no weakness.
“That first choice side could beat anyone in the world on their day; now, from the evidence of what we saw, they have maybe a few people to slot in.
“They’re playing pretty handsome rugby, and they’re not afraid of the physical side of the game either.
“They’re strong in the set pieces and they’re giving the guys out wide a lot of space. I think that winning does breed confidence and they’re on a roll at the moment.
“Of the three teams we played, they certainly were the most dominant team; their fitness levels, their strength showed through in the second half, and the one thing they proved today was that they had guys coming through,” he said. He believes that Wallace has a role to play in Ireland’s future. “I think it was great for him to have such established players around him to help him through, but he certainly responded. He will get better.”
Raiwalui begged one question: “Will the new Lansdowne Road allow for a train to trundle through at half time?”
He joked: “I think it’s going to be sad that it will no longer be the case; that was pretty special, quirky, but enjoyable.”
And then, he trundled off into the darkness, able and more than willing to join with his Irish opponents to enjoy the night; to celebrate the occasion, especially happy that he and his colleagues from the Pacific Islands were honoured by being the last international opponents at this famous old ground.
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