Ireland will be more difficult than Scotland, head coach Glen Ella says, citing the Northerners powerful performances in the line-outs and scrummage.
And the touring Flying Fijians has decided to be very physical this time around, against an Irish team that's limped home after a draw with Australia last week and with next week's match with world champions South Africa, hanging over their heads.
Ella is predicting a 'fantastic' show of the hosts' prowess in line-outs and scrummage and the Fijians can be expected to fall back on their natural flair of running games, but with lessons learnt from last weekend, firmly etched in their psyche.
'I think we need to be more physical then we have been except the Fijians are very nice people and I think we sometimes take that into a game, being very nice people. I think we have to get out of that," Ella said.
'So we've got to take this game into Ireland instead of them bringing it to us but as you know the nature of the Fijian is not like that."
Ella expects the Irish to attempt keeping the ball in field-play to avoid the kick and chase games that islanders have often capitalised on. He wants to see increased ball retention and a little more conversation amongst the players - on the field.
'That's the general plan, yes. We've got some general ideas of where we want to run, we want to probably target a few areas in the field but you've got to have that first phase ball before you can target things," Ella said.
'To put plans in execution, you know you gotta be able to have that ball.'
Ella named his team yesterday; French-based Seremaia Bai retains his captaincy while Mosese Rauluni and Nicky Little continue to play their roles as old-timers.
Ella hopes that with the team having had a little more time this time around to prepare than the one day most of them had managed to snatch in Scotland, will equate to a lot more coherence and consistency to game plans.
'We've had plenty time to reflect and look at areas where we've gone wrong," Ella said on the players' designated day off Thursday.
'Ireland has a fantastic lineout and defensive lineout so that's going to be very difficult as well, it's not going to make it any easier for us. It's gonna be more difficult, if anything, than Scotland.
'The boys have a lot of belief in their religion which is great but they need to take that kind of believe to the rugby pitch.".
The Flying Fijians played a friendly with Leinster A on Tuesday which gave them a chance to practice their set pieces and the line-outs and scrums. Another aspect that will hopefully manifest this weekend is the players taking their own initiative as opposed to waiting for someone else to make decisions on the field.
In terms of confidence amongst the players, Ella said: 'It's a whole lot better - it's 200 percent better than last week and hopefully that will equate to 200 percent improvement on the field.'
The Flying Fijians named for tomorrow's match include: Aisake Tarogi, Viliame Veikoso, Viliame Seuseu, Wame Lewaravu; Ifereimi Rawaqa; Apolosi Satala; Akapusi Qera; Asaeli Boko; Mosese Rauluni; Nicky Little; Nasoni Roko; Seremaia Bai (capt); Gabirieli Lovobalavu; Vereniki Goneva; and Norman Ligairi. Reserves: Isireli Ledua; Graham Dewes; Leone Nakarawa; Samu Bola; Waisale Vatuvoka; Josh Matavesi; Timoci Nagusa.
Recently-recruited technical director Mike Brewer said the key for the Flying Fijians was making their 'set pieces more stable' emphasising the importance of disrupting their balls.
Fiji Rugby Union chairman Viliame Gavoka said he expected a 'torrid affair' tomorrow; Gavoka feels the players now had a quite but steely determination to succeed this weekend.
'I can see that these boys have already run onto the field in their minds," Gavoka said.
'I hear them during their team talks, how the coaching staff would begin discussions and set the perimeters and it's amazing how the boys take it on and take ownership and having managed people, I see that so positive and so strong.
'So it's going to be a torrid 80 minutes - these boys are going to play for 80 minutes.'
Players to watch:
For Ireland: The spotlight will remain firmly on debutant Jonathan Sexton for the full 80 minutes to see if he can make an immediate progression from his distinguished Heineken Cup performances to a positive impression on the international stage. For established, consummate class on the international scene, Brian O'Driscoll, Rob Kearney, Paul O'Connell and Jamie Heaslip are always worth watching.
For Fiji: For all their problems with release of players by clubs, Fiji still have a number of players in their line-up on Saturday who command respect internationally. Bath's accomplished playmaker Nicky Little at No.10, Saracens' experienced Mosese Rauluni at scrumhalf, Clermont Auvergne's Seremaia Bai outside them at No.12, and Gloucester flank Akapusi Qera are all players highly regarded at top level. Ulster wing Timoci Nagusa could bring something special to the team when he comes off the bench.
Head to head: The novice Jonathan Sexton up against the wily, street-smart Nicky Little. Tighthead Viliame Seuseu, playing in place of Deacon Manu, up against Scotland's loosehead Tom Court. The midfield confrontation between Brian O'Driscoll (captain of Ireland for the 59th time) and Gordon D'Arcy, and Fiji's Seremaia Bai and Gabirieli Lovobalavu, could be a classic.
Previous Tests:
1995: Ireland won 44-8, Dublin
2002: Ireland won 64-17, Dublin
