Rugby World Cup 2015: Fiji plans to upset England in World Cup opener

Fiji will hold nothing back in their 2015 Rugby World Cup opener against England on Sept. 18 at Twickenham Stadium in London. Fiji coach John McKee said his side will be no pushovers once they face England in the group stage of the world tournament.

Fiji is looking for an upset victory in the Rugby World Cup opener against England on Friday as coach McKee plotted the best route to get his side into the knockout stages for just the third time. The New Zealand-born coach said Fiji will be playing its strongest team to overcome a huge task in their World Cup campaign.

“Our preparation has been very good and with good preparation comes confidence,” McKee said, the Telegraph reported. “We know it is a very challenging area for us but I believe we can get parity on Friday and in the other games.”

McKee also added that Fiji’s improving set play will be critical to the team’s success in the quadrennial rugby tournament. The Aussie coach revealed that Fiji’s set-piece has been the team’s big project for two years, having recruited South African guru Frans Ludeke to shore up what has traditionally been their weak point.

However, England coach Stuart Lancaster is taking no risk against Fiji in their opening matchup. Lancaster admitted he cannot afford a slip up against world No. 9 Fiji, already having Australia and Wales at their hands in the pool of death.

"Friday will be a great occasion for the whole squad and for the country,” Lancaster said, reports Stuff. “We are in a unique position to be playing in a World Cup on home soil and to have the support of a nation behind the team.”

Fiji will face world No. 2 Australia on Setp. 23 in their second group stage game, while world No. 4 England will take on Wales on Sept. 26.

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