Fiji might be a world apart from Wales on the playing style spectrum but Samu Kerevi reckons the Wallabies got the perfect preparation in their opening win at the Rugby World Cup.
The stakes rise this week for Kerevi’s team, who have emerged satisfied from their nerve-jangling 39-21 win over Fiji and now have eight days to prepare to face the Six Nations champions in Tokyo on Sunday.
No injuries were sustained although there is still concern over the status of winger Reece Hodge, who could yet be cited for his high, try-stopping tackle on Fiji dangerman Peceli Yato.
The citing commissioner has 36 hours, until Monday morning, to determine if the winger has a case to answer.
Otherwise, vice-captain Kerevi said the match served an excellent purpose for the Wallabies.
He revealed they had practised the scenario that confronted them in Sapporo on Saturday, having fallen behind by nine points early in the second spell.
Kerevi acknowledged it was his own “rubbish” pass that put them in that situation, allowing opposite Waisea Nayacalevu to gallop half the field untouched to stretch the scoreline to 21-12.
“That’s exactly what we talked about. Because we knew Fiji could score a try from 100m away if we made mistakes,” Kerevi said.
“(We’re) in real good stead. Our backs were against the wall… and then it was trust in our system, trust in what the coaches have prepared throughout the week and trust in each other.
“That’s probably the most pleasing thing of all.”
Kerevi believes they’ll meet a similarly-united Wales at Tokyo Stadium.
Wales weren’t the most expressive team when racking up their national record 14-straight Test wins across 2018-19 but had learned to “stay in the fight”, Kerevi said.
He expected to the Wallabies to improve but was also preparing for another close encounter with the Welsh.
Those sorts of matches come down to character, he said.
“We’re never going to play a perfect game, things are going to happen. It’s those times we have to stay connected.”
Wales open their campaign against Georgia in Tokyo on Monday.
