Transcript
In the first ever meeting between the Kiwis and Bati, Fiji ground out a famous 4-2 victory in Wellington on Saturday night, with neither side able to breach the opposition's defence.
Bati captain Kevin Naiqama always believed an upset was possible.
"I can't describe it. I'm just overwhelmed with joy and emotion from the boys' efforts. The whole week we were confident we could get the job done - our main focus has been defence the whole week - and I'm just real proud of the boys efforts fighting all the way to the last second. Like I said, we've definitely made history for the nation this week for the nation of Fiji. It's a historic win but, in saying that, the job's only half done and we've got Australia to focus on next week."
The Fijians face a short turnaround before taking on the defending champions in Brisbane on Friday.
The teams clashed in the semi finals at the past two World Cups, with the Kangaroos 52-0 winners in 2008, before running in 64 unanswered points in 2013.
Coach Mick Potter says Bati players proved at the weekend they can handle a big occasion.
"I think it's a great achievement for the players and what they've done up until now and it probably shouldn't go unnoticed this particular one as well for their effort and I don't think many people gave them a chance and I think they've been underdogs by a long way, and as we will be this weekend, but there's plenty of fight in the Bati team and that's what we love about them. They try their hardest and they secured a result on the weekend and stranger things have happened, and we will see how we go."
Meanwhile, Tonga are through to their first ever World Cup semi after being made to work hard for a 24-22 victory over Lebanon in Christchurch.
The Kingdom struggled after two big performances against Samoa and New Zealand, but coach Kristian Woolf is confident his players will rise to the occasion against England.
"It's a bit of a hard sell to players some time when they've achieved something that's really special and you're trying to find improvement, whereas on the weekend's game we can find a lot of things that we need to improve and we were a long long way off our best. I think that all ends well in getting our heads right and making sure we're in the right frame of mind for this weekend."
Mr Woolf says support from the Tongan community has been overwhelming and they're looking forward to a bumper crowd on Saturday in South Auckland.
"We are back at Mt Smart where the majority of Tongans do live in Auckland and I'm not sure what the capacity is but I'd be pretty sure we could fill it this week and fill the majority with Tongans."
As for the the concept of who is and isn't a tier one country, Kristian Woolf says rugby league's world order may need to be reconsidered after the World Cup is over.
But he says if Pacific island nations rise to the top tier then they deserve the same rights and benefits.
"We need to be playing more football - that requires finances. We need to get some benefit in terms of representing our countries. Again, maybe not as much as the tier one but certainly to show that we're respected and our players are respected for the commitment they make and, if those two things happen, then I think you'll find that a lot more players would choose to play for their heritage nations or choose to stay with them."
With the world cup finalists to be determined at the end of the week, the prospect of a Tonga Fiji grand final remains alive for a few more days yet.
