Manu happy to discover Fijian roots

Kiwi-born Fiji captain Deacon Manu is a veteran of the New Zealand rugby scene who went on to qualify for Wales through residency.

The 32-year-old played for New Zealand under-21s, NZ Universities and the NZ Maori side, starting in the latter's historic 19-13 win over the touring British and Irish Lions in 2005.

The tighthead prop has amassed a massive amount of experience in his playing career, turning out for Waikato, the Chiefs and the Blues, before joining Welsh region Scarlets in 2006.

But after being snubbed by Wales coach Warren Gatland - his former coach at Waikato - as "too old and not good enough", Manu turned to the country of his mother, who hails from the Fijian island of Kadavu.

"It's fantastic," Manu said of captaining Fiji. "I'm pretty honoured and fortunate to be able to do that. I never thought I'd be leading my country in a World Cup in New Zealand.

"It's a very special moment. It's very emotional playing for your country, in New Zealand against the world champions" South Africa in Wellington on Saturday.

The New Plymouth-born Manu said the Welsh snub had been providential.

"I feel in some ways it was fate, espcially towards playing here," he said. "I'm very fortunate to be able to play international rugby.

"It's been a fantastic opportunity all round to represent Fiji, meet some of the guys and get some knowledge of my family which I guess I lost out on a generation ago."

Turning to Saturday's match against South Africa, 17-16 winners over Wales last weekend, Manu said his team were aware of the step-up in intensity needed from their opening 49-25 win over Namibia.

"We were fortunate enough to watch the Wales-South Africa game, it was a hugely physical affair and we know we'll have to step up if we want to try to match them on the scoreboard," he said.

"We can't move away from our strengths, one of which is keeping ball in hand. So we'll try to match that up with the physicality and get the right mix in our game if we want to challenge the South Africans.

"Some of our backs can make something out of nothing. That's fantastic to have in a team. But as a forward pack and as a team we've got to win those physical battles up front."

South Africa, Manu added, were strong throughout and would easily ride the absences through injury of lock pairing Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield, and centre Jean de Villiers.

"They could probably afford to lose the whole side and still field a team capable of dealing with another international side," he said.

"They don't have too many weakeness, so we have to focus on our game and control everything we can control and make sure we get that right mix in our game and play the style of rugby we want to play.

"A lot of teams have come close to the big sides. But in the last 20-30 minutes, the top sides really step up a gear.

"We have to make sure we play for the full 80 minutes if we're going to challenge the South Africans on the scoreline."

AFP