As the Classic All Blacks get ready to take on the Flying Fijians in the next hour, coach Peter Sloane knows his team faces a massive challenge as the Fiji 15s team is playing to celebrate 100 years of Fiji rugby in front of their home crowd.
Sloane who was the coach of the winning Auckland Blues side in 2003 said the Fiji team has been together for some time and he knows that could work in their favour.
He hopes the Classic All Blacks set pieces work well and Sloane is confident the star studded backline featuring Justin Marshall, Orene Ai’i, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Sam Tuitupou, Rupeni Caucau, Joe Rokocoko and Gavin Williams will spark tonight.
But he is wary of Fiji using its running rugby style to upset the Classic ABs.
Sloane said he is so happy that the game is already almost a sellout and he hopes that the Classic ABs also get some support from the fans tonight.
Expect some razzle dazzle from the Classic All Blacks tonight at the ANZ Stadium.
That is the message from Classic All Blacks captain Justin Marshall as he leads his team tonight.
Marshall who has played for the All Blacks 81 times and featured for the Crusaders 105 times said he is honored to play in Fiji for the first time to celebrate 100 years of Fiji rugby.
Marshall hopes the forwards deliver well to the Classic ABs backline.
Justin Marshall will captain the Classic All Blacks which includes Rodney So’oialo, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Adam Thompson, Bradley Mika, Sam Tuitupou, former Samoan fullback Gavin Williams and former England prop Joe Ward.
Meanwhile, the Flying Fijians do not want to spoil the party tonight as we all celebrate 100 years of rugby in Fiji.
Senior players in the team know the job at hand is tough as they will face some of the big names of world rugby including three players who have links to Fiji.
Fullback Timoci Nagusa said the Fiji 15s forwards and backline players have worked out strategies to counter Sitiveni Sivivatu, Joe Rokocoko and Rupeni Caucau who are expected to come out firing tonight.
A star studded lineup has been named to face the Classic All Blacks which will be captained by Akapusi Qera.
Seremaia Bai, Sakiusa Matadigo, Napolioni Nalaga and Timoci Nagusa return for Fiji for the centennial celebration match.
Netani Talei, Sireli Bobo and Nikola Matawalu retain their places in the team after missing the Pacific Nations Cup trip to Canada.
Jiuta Lutumailagi will start in the number 10 jersey ahead of Setareki Koroilagilagi.
The $40 grandstand tickets are sold out.
You can get the embankment and ground tickets from the gates now.
The Fiji Rugby Union said people should also bring along their children as children under 12 years only have to pay $2 for the embankment.
The Fiji vs Classic All Blacks match kicks off in the next hour at the ANZ Stadium and you can catch a live commentary on our sister station Viti FM.
Story by: Vijay Narayan & Dhanjay Deo
Classic All Blacks expect massive challenge from Flying Fijians
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