Wales v Fiji:WALES COACH Warren Gatland acknowledges that had it not been for their World Cup implosion against Fiji in Nantes three years ago, there is a "good chance" he would not be in his current job.
The Welsh Rugby Union reacted swiftly to that 38-34 defeat at Stade de la Beaujoire, dispensing with Gareth Jenkins’ coaching services less than 24 hours after a calamitous result confirmed an embarrassing pool-stage exit.
Gatland remembers watching the nine-try thriller at home in New Zealand, blissfully unaware that just six weeks later he would be unveiled as Jenkins’ successor.
“I remember watching the game and thinking it was a great game of rugby,” he recalled. “Fiji got out in front, then Wales came back.
“From what I understand, players perhaps didn’t implement what the game-plan was supposed to be at the time. They went out and tried to take Fiji on at their own game and came up short.
“For me, as a neutral, I thought it was a great game of rugby.
“I have no doubt if Wales had won that day and got through to the quarter-finals (against South Africa), I think there is a good chance I wouldn’t be sat here.”
Gatland’s matchday 22 for Fiji’s first Millennium Stadium visit since 2005 contains five survivors from that dismal September afternoon in northwest France: James Hook, Tom Shanklin, Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips and Ian Gough.
Gatland has made nine changes from the Springboks clash, although teenage sensation and two-try debutant George North is retained, along with Hook, Lee Byrne, Paul James, Adam Jones and Jonathan Thomas.
Wales, with in-form props James and Jones, plus an experienced secondrow combination of Gough and Deiniol Jones, have sufficient fire-power to stop Fiji at source and keep their revered runners in check.
Wales v Fiji Tonight, kick-off – 7.30pm Millennium Stadium Live on BBC 2, Setanta Ireland
WALES: L Byrne (Ospreys); G North (Scarlets), J Hook (Ospreys), A Bishop (Ospreys), A Brew (Newport Gwent Dragons); D Biggar (Ospreys), R Rees, (Cardiff Blues); P James (Ospreys), H Bennett (Ospreys), A Jones (Ospreys), I Gough (Ospreys), D Jones (Cardiff Blues), R Jones (Ospreys, capt), D Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), J Thomas (Ospreys). Replacements: R Hibbard (Ospreys), J Yapp (Cardiff Blues), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), M Phillips (Ospreys), S Jones (Scarlets), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues).
FIJI: J Matavesi; M Tagicakibau, A Vulivuli, G Lovobalavu, V Goneva; S Bai, N Kenatale; C Ma'afu, V Veikoso, D Manu (capt), I Rawaqa, J Qovu, S Saukawa, M Ravulo, S Koyamaibole. Replacements: T Talemaitoga, G Dewes, S Kalou, A Qera, S Taka, R Ratu, T Rawaqa.
Referee: Jerome Garces(France).
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