OF THE STAR names smattered across Fiji’s team-sheet this weekend, there is none more exciting than their all-action second row.
Gold standard: Leone Nakarawa celebrates scoring a try for Fiji 7s at Rio 2016. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Locks don’t always take top-billing when looking through a team with the flair filter on. Yet even the frankly awesome Nemani Nadolo doesn’t quite spark the thrill that the unconventional, running, passing, kicking, offloading, lineout-taking, tackle-making Nakarawa manages to do.
The Racing 92 man is precisely the sort of individual talent that Ireland will strive to limit this weekend. With an inexperienced team named for the second November series match, Joe Schmidt’s charges will look to keep a shape and structure on this Test match and so show they can perform a role that is repeatable against other opponents.
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“Joe mentions it all the time, just fit in first, nail our roles and play in the system and try to excel through that,” says Ultan Dillane, whose 11th cap for Ireland will bring just a second start for his country.
DIllane hauls down Nakarawa in the tense 2016 clash that helped pave the way for Connacht's Pro12 title success. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“You can single him out but the majority of their squad are capable of that,” Dillane adds to brush off the notion of a personal duel with Nakarawa.
“They are really athletic, powerful, capable ball-carriers, who love that style of play. You can single out Nakawara, but Nadolo as well is going to be a force on the wing. (Niko) Matawalu as well, you’ve a lot of good players, (Akapusi) Qera, so it’s going to be a challenge.”
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
No danger of Dillane feeling anything close to complacency then, against the team nestled in between France and Argentina in the world rankings.
“It’s no easy feat by any means, they are powerful, athletic ball carriers and looking to keep the game alive, with some offloads.
It’s a tough 80 for us, but if we stick to the process hopefully we can get the job done.
“It’ll be good (to have a) packed house again this weekend, it’s a big challenge to keep your structure against a team like Fiji who love to break tackles with their big ball-carriers.
“It’s definitely going to be tough, but if we can build from last week, their performance has helped motivate the boys who didn’t play last week to do well this week. So hopefully we’ll get that done.”
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Dillane determined to keep focus wider than just box-office Nakarawa
OF THE STAR names smattered across Fiji’s team-sheet this weekend, there is none more exciting than their all-action second row.
Locks don’t always take top-billing when looking through a team with the flair filter on. Yet even the frankly awesome Nemani Nadolo doesn’t quite spark the thrill that the unconventional, running, passing, kicking, offloading, lineout-taking, tackle-making Nakarawa manages to do.
The Racing 92 man is precisely the sort of individual talent that Ireland will strive to limit this weekend. With an inexperienced team named for the second November series match, Joe Schmidt’s charges will look to keep a shape and structure on this Test match and so show they can perform a role that is repeatable against other opponents.
“Joe mentions it all the time, just fit in first, nail our roles and play in the system and try to excel through that,” says Ultan Dillane, whose 11th cap for Ireland will bring just a second start for his country.
“You can single him out but the majority of their squad are capable of that,” Dillane adds to brush off the notion of a personal duel with Nakarawa.
“They are really athletic, powerful, capable ball-carriers, who love that style of play. You can single out Nakawara, but Nadolo as well is going to be a force on the wing. (Niko) Matawalu as well, you’ve a lot of good players, (Akapusi) Qera, so it’s going to be a challenge.”
No danger of Dillane feeling anything close to complacency then, against the team nestled in between France and Argentina in the world rankings.
“It’s no easy feat by any means, they are powerful, athletic ball carriers and looking to keep the game alive, with some offloads.
“It’ll be good (to have a) packed house again this weekend, it’s a big challenge to keep your structure against a team like Fiji who love to break tackles with their big ball-carriers.
“It’s definitely going to be tough, but if we can build from last week, their performance has helped motivate the boys who didn’t play last week to do well this week. So hopefully we’ll get that done.”
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Fiji Ireland Leone Nakarawa lock stocks November Tests top lock Ultan Dillane