Updated: 6:55am – The Fiji Airways Flying Fijians will play in front of 51,000 rugby fans when they face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Sunday.
The Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed the sell-out as they aim to keep their unbeaten record against the Fijians.
It will be Fiji’s first visit to the Aviva Stadium and only the fourth time that the teams have met in a test match. Ireland won all three previous encounters, most recently beating the South Sea Islanders 41-6 at the RDS Stadium in 2009.
After the powerful 38-3 win over the Springboks last weekend, the Irish are closely following the progress of the John McKee-coached side over the years.
Fullback Rob Kearney believes Fiji could cause Ireland more problems this weekend than South Africa did on Sunday. He said they watched Fiji-Italy test in Sicily won by the Conor O’Shea –coached team.
Kearney told the Belfast Telegraph; “Potentially, Fiji rested a few guys at the weekend, so they’re eyeing it up in some shape or form.
“We know the threats they have and some of their guys are playing as good as they have over the last few years.
“They’re definitely a team on the up and improving a huge amount. Individually we know they’re very good, but collectively they’re improving.
“It’s definitely going to be a big challenge.”
The Flying Fijians need to put on a better show in Dublin. They committed a lot mistakes against Italy and they can’t afford to do that against the in-form Irishmen.
Meanwhile, Ulster’s Sean Reidy has joined up with the Ireland squad.
The New Zealand-born flanker has two caps for Ireland and has been brought into the panel along with Leinster’s Jordi Murphy.
The pair have been drafted in to replace Munster’s Tommy O’Donnell and Leinster’s Dan Leavy, who are both ruled out of this weekend’s international due to injury.
-Fiji Sun
Featured Image: Fiji Airways Flying Fijians lock forward Leone Nakarawa wins the lineout against Italy in Catania, Sicily on November 12, 2017. Photo: Zimbio
