FIJ 23-24 POR: Comments from Fiji head coach Raiwalui & captain Nayacavelu

MEDIA CONFERENCE

Simon Raiwalui, head coach

On his feelings about the game:

"Firstly, to congratulate Portugal on their win. They played very well in the first half and with their try at the end, congratulations to them. Obviously we're disappointed to lose the game, but our first qualification for the quarter-finals since 2007, we're very happy to be there. But we have but a lot to do this week."

On the areas in which Fiji struggled:

"In the first half, we had our chances to release the ball wide but we didn't. Portugal took their chances
and put pressure on us. We thought we'd done enough, but there are a numbers of areas to work on. We need to get those basics right."

On Portugal:

"Patrice Lagisquet and his coaches have done a wonderful job in terms of the style of play they play, the efiiciency they play at, so the victory today was well deserved. Anyone that's surprised about how they played hasn't been watching them because they've been playing a very good brand of rugby. in all the games this tournament, they've been getting better and better."

On quarter-final opponents England: 

"They play rugby to win. They're very talented. They'll put a lot of pressure on us at set-piece time as well. Tactically, they'll look to take advantage of some of the things we've been doing, so they're a very good team. It's going to be a big challenge.

"It’s a totally different match (to when Fiji beat England in August), playing a different team. There will be aspects of how they play that are similar but they will bring new stuff as well. It's about us being efficient and doing the things we do well and giving ourselves the best chance to compete. We’ve played the team, the boys are comfortable, it’s not the first time, so I think it will be a good match."

Waisea Nayacavelu, captain

On Portugal:

"They're a pretty good team. We watched them in their three pool games, they played really well. Today, they just outplayed us and credit to them for a good game.

"We're going to flush this one out and look at the quarter-finals next week."