Fiji's fly-half Caleb Muntz has his kick charged down during the Autumn Nations Series International rugby union test match between Wales and Fiji at the Principality Stadium, in Cardiff on 10 November 10, 2024. Photo: AFP / Adrian Dennis
There is a breeze of confidence flowing through the Flying Fijians camp as they fine-tune their game plan for Sunday morning's Test against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Veteran halfback Frank Lomani and head coach Mick Byrne believe this might be the best opportunity for the Fijians to beat the Irish on their favourite playing ground in their sixth Test.
Ireland has claimed the last five, with Fiji coming closest in 2017.
Lomani said he believes the Irish are vulnerable at the moment and if the Fijians play their cards right, a first ever win for the Islanders is possible.
He said having beaten Australia, England and Wales, has given them the confidence that they can beat any Tier One team if they put their focus to it, adding the wins were not a shock to the players.
And he added it was time for the Flying Fijians to shine now.
"We had almost beaten Wales in the past and Ireland," he said.
"I think it's now that we are realising that we are a team that can beat these Tier One teams. It is about time.
"Now we are getting our confidence that we can beat these teams in big games like this."
Lomani said Ireland right now is the not the team that was hot during the Six Nations and World Cup in 2023.
The side is also rebuilding and he senses there is a big chance for Fiji to beat them this weekend.
"They are so vulnerable that we as a team we can counter on that," he said.
"Team is not really like a few months ago when Sexton (Jonathan Sexton their former captain) was playing.
"But they are still in the top four and we maintain how we played in the last two games we can beat them."
Lomani and the Flying Fijians know rugby is not a perfect game and the ball can bounce any direction, knowing that Ireland will be hard to beat also at home.
The team have chatted about this in camp, knowing that they need to focus on their own game.
"That won't change the way we prepare going into this game," he said.
"We have to be patient and focus on our game."
Coach Byrne said the team is improving and the longer they stay together will help them improve.
He pointed to the 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign, where the team improved as they played together over a period of time.
"We noticed last year when that squad came together and spent a good number of weeks leading into the World Cup, the combinations began to gel and we are finding that now," he said.
"We had a really good week this week and just finished a great training session there.
"It was a nice, fast and sharp session and the combinations were really coming good so the longer we can spend together as a team the better our combinations will be. We'll definitely be in better shape than we were in Wales week."
Byrne has reverted to the bones of the team that beat Wales, injury and suspension been taken into account.
Sevens rep Ponipate Loganimasi, who has been impressive in his outings so far, gets a big chance to impress more, being named on the wing, in place of the suspended Semi Radrada.
France-based Luke Tagi returns to tighthead prop for Samu Tawake, while Mesake Vocevoce replaces Isoa Nasilasila in the second row.
Byrne said he expects to see a variation of play from the players, mixing the modern game of keeping it tight and offloading when it is needed.
"In the teams I have coached in the past you sort of take the players to the side and teach them a little bit of offloading, we don't have to teach that," he said.
"The growth for us is our ability to curb our enthusiasm to throw the ball away and just get in there and clean out, be strong over the ball and take pride in our breakdown skills and our ball presentation.
"That growth has been significant over the last six months. It's a constant work in progress. We just have to create the habits. It can't just be words, we have to train it, and that's what we do."
One of the new recruits is young 18 year old lock Setareki Turagavoce, who made his Test debut off the bench against Spain last weekend.
He was called up last week to replace Nasilasila and his performance saw him named on the bench again this week.
Turagavoce told the media he was overjoyed and excited with the opportunity to don the Fiji jersey.
"It's a big opportunity for me to be here with the boys. I cant imagine being here as I was just focusing on playing Top 14 with my French club.
"It was always my dream to play for Fiji."
He said Ireland will be tough and they will come hard at the Fijians.
"We just have to stick to our game plan and play our game," he added.
Tevita Ikanivere and Waisea Nayacalevu are named co-captains again for the Test, with Josua Tuisova also making a return, after he was rested last week.
Irish debuts
Meanwhile, Irish coach Andy Farrell has given Test debuts to two players.
He has named 21-year-old Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy and the 24-year-old Ulster flanker Cormac Izuchukwu, while making seven changes to his starting line-up.
Sam Prendergast make his full Test debut after playing the last 18 minutes of Ireland's 22-19 win over Argentina last Friday.
Jamie Osborne, who made his international debut when seamlessly replacing Hugo Keenan for both Tests last summer in South Africa, returns at fullback.
Jacob Stockdale earns a recall on the left wing to earn his 38th cap, while Bundee Aki also returns to midfield, with Robbie Henshaw shifting to outside centre.
IRELAND: Jamie Osborne (Leinster); Mack Hansen (Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster); Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster); Andrew Porter (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht); Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Munster); Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, capt); Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Tom O'Toole (Ulster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), Conor Murray (Munster), Ciarán Frawley (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster).
FIJI: Vuate Karawalevu; Jiuta Wainiqolo, Waisea Nayacalevu (capt), Josua Tuisova, Ponepati Loganimasi; Caleb Muntz, Frank Lomani; Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere, Luke Tagi; Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua; Meli Derenalagi, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata; Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Haereiti Hetet, Samu Tawake, Setareki Turagacoke, Albert Tuisue, Peni Matawalu, Vilimoni Botitu, Sireli Maqala.