Campese’s call: Game will be won up front

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Flying Fijians skipper Dominiko Waqaniburotu, left, and his Wallabies counterpart Michael Hooper. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA/ CANBERRA TIMES Graphics: WAISALE KOROIWASA

“IF we can stop them in the forwards, then everything will fall into place.”

That’s how the Flying Fijians’ most experienced loosehead prop Campese Ma’afu believes the powerful Australian team can be stopped.

“Whatever challenges are in front of us, we need to take it upon our shoulders and put the best foot forward,” the England-based rugger said at the team training camp in Abashiri yesterday.

Ma’afu said they expected the Australians to come with a lot of physicality because they had lifted their game since the past Rugby World Cup in 2015.

“For us it is to focus on our game and show up on Saturday and counter everything they have,” he said.

“If we can stop them in the forwards then everything will fall into place.

“The forwards have built a very strong combination as a pack and we can come together well and execute and counter everything they have.”

Ma’afu was also confident of the front row picked for the game, saying if Peni Ravai, Sam Matavesi and himself could hold up their end, they could make a difference.

“For us three, if we can get it right up front and counter their scrum, I think we can make a nuisance of it,” Ma’afu said.

Fiji plays Australia at the Sapporo Dome in Japan tomorrow.

The match kicks off at 4.45pm.

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