I found myself enjoying a cracking evening in front of the telly the other night, after discovering that there was a Fawlty Towers marathon on. My very exciting evening got even better when I realised that they were showing my favourite episode – the one where the Germans come to stay at the hotel. And as I sat down to write this preview for the Wales and Fiji game at the Millennium Stadium this weekend, my mind kept drifting back to images of John Cleese goose-stepping through the lobby whilst screaming “Don’t mention the war”. Although, for the majority of Welsh fans, it’s a case of “Don’t mention 2007!”. And probably avoiding the goose stepping altogether.

The fateful day of course is one of the darker days in the annals of Welsh Rugby history, as the men in red went down to Fiji in a fantastically open, entertaining and – ultimately – heartbreaking game, with the final score 38 – 34 to the underdogs. That was seven long years ago and Fiji have failed to kick on from there, but this fixture does bring that day in Nantes to the front of the mind – and that is, strangely, to Wales’ advantage.

Wales

This match is perfect medicine for the Welsh as they look to bounce back from another eye-scratchingly frustrating defeat against the Wallabies. Not just because they are favourites and should bounce back with a win, but also because it will give them a chance to practice the type of game that they needed to bring to the fore against Australia, but failed to do so.

Everybody knows that the Welsh can play some phenomenal stuff out wide, with the backs carving through defences with sharp lines and plenty of decoy runners, but they have the pack to slow it down and grind out points against opponents, yet they rarely play that way. Against Fiji, they know that if they start flinging it around, they may find themselves getting a bit nervous again…but that day seven years ago will serve as a reminder that they have to do the basics well first.

Wales have made eight changes to their starting line-up, with Gethin Jenkins returning at loosehead in place of Paul James and taking on the captain’s armband, with regular skipper Sam Warburton rested. Jenkins is joined in a new-look front row by Samson Lee and hooker Scott Baldwin. In the second row, Luke Charteris comes in for Alun Wyn Jones, and Justin Tipuric replaces Warburton on the openside.

Jamie Roberts and Scott Williams are paired in the centre, with Jonathan Davies still injured, and there is a change at half-back too, as Mike Phillips replaces Rhys Webb at scrum-half and Rhys Priestland replaces the injured Dan Biggar at fly-half. Full-back Leigh Halfpenny misses out with concussion, so Liam Williams shifts from the left wing and George North reverts to his favoured spot as a result.

Fiji

Fiji can take heart from a promising first half display against the French and from the fact that substitute Nagusa ran in one of the tries of the weekend. Since 2007, the Fijians seemed to lose their way a bit, but there are signs that they are improving once again.

There is no doubting the natural talent within their ranks, but the inability to maintain a defensive structure for 80 minutes was what cost them against France last weekend. It’s unlikely that we’ll be talking about deja vu on Saturday, but if Fiji do want to repeat history they will need to focus for the full shift.

Former Gloucester flanker Akapusi Qera takes the captain’s armband, while Ospreys’ Josh Matavesi will start at fly-half against his club-mates. Qera’s side is boosted by the presence of Leicester’s talented winger/centre, Vereniki Goneva, who will be joined by Nemani Nadolo in the centre of a new-look back line.

Wingers Asaeli Tikoirotuma and Waisale Nayacalevu replace Watisoni Votu and Alipate Ratini respectively, with Ratini also citing personal reasons for his withdrawal for the squad.

All Eyes On

It’s impossible not to feel sorry for Rhys Priestland, who comes across consistently as a good egg, but has been on the end of some harsh criticism because of his occasional flakiness in a Welsh jersey. There are, of course, concerns about the talented fly-half’s consistency, but he is a confidence player and – when he gets it right – he is an invaluable asset. Against Fiji, he needs to ignore the rumblings of a few arm-chair critics and relax, play his natural game as he does for the Scarlets, and pick his runners. If he gets the basics right, he can cause plenty of damage, and he’ll shut a fair few up as well. As a side note, if you were one of the idiots who booed Priestland as he came on against the Wallabies with the game still in the balance, how stupid are you? Did you really think booing a player who notoriously feeds off confidence would benefit your side?

With that rant over, it’s time to turn to another confidence player, Vereniki Goneva. The Tigers man was unable to play against France due to visa issues but now he’s back in the UK he’ll be hungry to make a difference. A gloriously balanced runner, with agility and power in equal measure, he has won games by himself for Leicester over the last two seasons and he will be a real threat to the men in red. Goneva is at his most dangerous when he takes the ball in space, so he will need to sit a bit deeper – it means that the Welsh defence will be rushing up to shut him down, which could open up other opportunities for Matavesi in the 10 shirt.

Prediction

In stark contrast with your average Fawlty Towers episode, I don’t think we’ll be seeing a farce on Saturday – or any sort of repeat of 2007 for that matter. Wales may have made plenty of changes but they will still recognise the threat of Fiji and will be determined to get back on track after last week’s disappointment. They may have to be patient, but their pack will eventually bring them the victory. Wales by 22.

By Mike Cooper (@Rucked_Over)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images