Fiji national team is building up for a Very big challenge to try and achieve a historic qualification spot to the World Cup. The islanders will now face off with a tough New Zealand challenge for Oceania qualifying semifinals on 21 March in Wellington.
Managed by Rob Sherman, the side is made up of mainly amateur players including police officers, builders and transport workers. Without the granted resources and professional experience of the New Zealanders, Fiji is willing to cause an upset.
“Well, there’s no excuses – it’s going to be a very, very big test,” said Sherman, recognising the experience and fitness disparity between the teams. “They are professionals, and we are a team of amateur” 
Fiji could ease into a final showdown against either New Caledonia or Tahiti on 24 March at Eden Park, where the victor earns a destiny title for the 2026 North American World cup.
The team is at present having a training camp in Auckland before travelling to Wellington. But they miss out their most prized player in Roy Krishna, lost to a knee injury.
Despite obstacles, Sherman remains confident that his team’s perseverance and vitality can trouble the All Blacks and pounce on limited scoring chances. Backed by a thrilling wave of New Zealand’s Fijian fans, Fiji is all set to defy richness and experience the history of the pitch.
