Rugby World Cup
Fiji warn England: We're not here to make up the numbers
PA Sport
September 6, 2015
Andy Farrell and Stuart Lancaster watch on as Fiji hammer Canada at The Stoop
Andy Farrell and Stuart Lancaster watch on as Fiji hammer Canada at The Stoop© ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

England have been warned that Fiji will enter their World Cup opener at Twickenham armed with the belief they can cause upsets in the most difficult group in the tournament's history.

The Pacific Nations Cup champions routed Canada 47-18 in their final outing before England 2015, blowing away the cobwebs after a month of inactivity by running in five tries.

The gaze of the rugby world will turn to Twickenham on September 18 when Fiji attempt to stun the hosts, but head coach John McKee insists Wales and Australia should also be wary as he targets passage into the quarter-finals.

"We know what a good side England are and we need to be at our absolute best to topple them, but we have the belief that we can do well," McKee said.

"It's a big task, but the great thing about sport is that challenges bring out the best in people and I believe that with the team we've got we are going to cause some upsets in this competition.

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"We don't see them as upsets, but other people may do. We've got the England game, but this pool isn't all about facing England, it's about all four games.

"There will be a lot of twists and turns. Teams are going to beat each other, win games and lose games, so it could be very tight at the end. We want to get out of the pool phase."

Fiji captain Akapusi Qera outlined his ambition for the World Cup.

"We're not here to make up the numbers. We're here to stamp our mark as well. We'll be ready for England," Qera said.

Bath-bound scrum-half Nikola Matawalu, who scored two tries and was Fiji's liveliest player, suffered a groin injury but is expected to be fit to face England.

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