Shane Williams has told Wales to take a leaf out of the Crusaders' book if they want to avoid the ignominy of losing to Fiji in their Rugby World Cup opener.
What has really boosted Fijian chances is the performances of their Super Rugby side the Fijian Drua who reached the quarter-finals for the first time this season before succumbing 49-8 to the Crusaders yesterday.
Writing in The Rugby Paper Williams insists Wales should adopt a similar game plan to the Crusaders, which he describes as an "object lesson in how to take the sting out of the Fijians", if they are to triumph in Bordeaux on September 10.
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"Thank you, Scott Robertson and your Crusaders players for showing Wales the way to beat Fiji in their opening game at the World Cup," wrote Williams.
"Unlike Wales in 2007, they didn't get involved in a running battle. They played territory, turned the game into a forward slog for as long as they could, and were thoroughly committed at the breakdown.
"Even after they had gifted the Drua an interception try they didn't panic. They kept things tight and won with something to spare in the end, with the forwards scoring the majority of their tries
"The blueprint for Wales was laid out for them. Now all Gatland needs to do is get his front five ready for action and decide who he picks in his back row to dominate the breakdown area.
"Whoever Wales pick at centre will need to be ready for 80 minutes of hard tackling and staying in shape. The Crusaders managed to frustrate all attempts at the Fijians to break-up the game and create chaos with the running and off-loading.
"It wasn't easy and it came at a high physical price as they ended with 13 players having run out of replacements."
Williams was a part of the Wales side which infamously got dumped out of the 2007 World Cup in France by Fiji which cost then-head coach Gareth Jenkins his job. Williams remembers it like it was yesterday.
"We got caught up in trying to outplay the Fijians on a very hot day," he told The Rugby Paper.
"That game is going to be mentioned a lot between now and Sunday, September 10, when the two sides open their World Cup accounts at Stade de Bordeaux.
"But that was then, and what happens in three months' time will be conditional on how well Wales prepare this summer for what is going to be a make-or-break occasion for their World Cup hopes."
Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui named an impressive 45-man training squad which include star names such as former Bristol Bears star Semi Radradra, former All Black centre Seta Tamanivalu, and talented Edinburgh No 8 Viliame Mata.
But the former Wales wing believes Wales shouldn't be overawed by some of the big names in this Fiji squad.
"We shouldn't be overawed by the star quality available to Raiwalui. Players like Levani Botia, La Rochelle's Heineken Champions Cup winner, or ex-Bristol Bears centre Semi Radradra, might have the ability to break into any side in the world, along with former All Blacks centre Seta Tamanivalu, who is set to play against Wales for a second nation, but coming together as a team has always been the biggest challenge," he added.
"A lot will happen between now and the battle in Bordeaux. Mark my words Wales couldn't have picked a tougher opening game in their pool, but if they can come through it then I think they will be on course for the quarter-finals."
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