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Rugby World Cup FINAL: South Africa Beat New Zealand 11-12
2023 Rugby World Cup: Fiji Hit by SECOND Rugby World Cup Tragedy Ahead of Quarter-Final Clash With England
Northampton star Sam Matavesi has flown back to the UK after the death of his father and is now a doubt for Sundays' clash against Steve Borthwicks' side
BBC 12 OCT 2023
Fiji's hooker Sam Matavesi flew back to the UK earlier this week.
Sam Matavesi is tackled during the clash with Australia
Fiji have been hit by a second family tragedy just days before they take on England for a place in the World Cup semi-finals.
A week after the seven-year old son of Josh Tuisova passed away following a long illness, Sam Matavesi learned of the death of his father.
The Northampton hooker immediately flew to Cornwall, where his father lived, throwing into doubt his availability for Sunday’s clash. It is understood he plans to return to play and help his country’s quest for what would be an historic quarter-final win.
But assistant coach Seremaia Bai admitted it was another tough day for the Flying Fijians who have been away from home for 15 weeks.
“It’s a very tough moment…we need to stay together and care for one another,” said the former Leicester centre. “For us in Fiji family is everything. If one suffers, we all emotionally suffer.
“We are far away from Fiji, we have been 15 weeks from our own families since we started this campaign, so we have become very close and make sure that becomes our family.”
Fiji last reached the last-eight in 2007 when Baia was a part of the team which knocked out Wales in Nantes before losing to South Africa.
This year they have already made history by taking two Tier One scalps inside a month, beating England at Twickenham and Australia in the pool stages here.
And despite feeling certain that England will present an altogether tougher challenge this weekend, there is undeniable excitement among the Islanders squad at the opportunity they have.
“I don’t call it excitement, I call it crazy back home,” said Baia. “We’re passionate about rugby, everyone’s getting up early at three, five o’clock in the morning.
"People who are sick come alive when we win games. We’ve just got to make sure we’re not just playing for a quarter-final we’re playing for our people: young kids, people in the villages. It means a lot to them.”
Asked what a second win over England would mean to the 10th ranked nation, Baia allowed himself a smile. “If we win I think there will be a one-week holiday in Fiji,” he said. “It will be crazy.
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