Rugby World Cup 2015: Wallabies wary of forgotten Waratah Ben Volavola

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This was published 8 years ago

Rugby World Cup 2015: Wallabies wary of forgotten Waratah Ben Volavola

By Chris Dutton
Updated

Bath: All eyes will be on Sam Burgess and England's World Cup launching pad, but the Wallabies are focusing on a forgotten NSW Waratah who holds the key to unlocking Fiji's attacking weapons.

Wallabies players and coaches heaped praise on Ben Volavola on Wednesday as the 24-year-old playmaker prepares for his World Cup debut.

Former Waratahs Ben Volavola holds the key to unlocking Fiji's backline.

Former Waratahs Ben Volavola holds the key to unlocking Fiji's backline.Credit: Getty Images

Volavola looms as the linchpin in Fiji's hopes of breaking English hearts in the World Cup opener at Twickenham on Friday night (Saturday morning AEST).

He will then turn his attention to taking down the Wallabies, setting the stage for Volavola to show his former NSW mentor, Michael Cheika, that he's the one that got away.

That fact isn't lost on his Australian opponents and they know his ball-playing ability can give Fiji's flying backline stars enough room to leave a path of destruction.

Said Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper: "I played against him a few times … he's a very talented player with a great skill-set, he's tall, quick and has a good pass on him."

"I thought he was a fantastic player and he's obviously got a bright future ahead.

"Fijian teams have a lot of skill right across the board and to have a guy like him … he understands structured play and that will only help Fiji be better team."

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Fiji has rolled out a full-strength team for the opening fixture and will regroup to play the Wallabies in Cardiff on September 23 (September 24, 1.45am AEST).

Volavola is on Australia's radar as the man capable of unleashing Fiji's backline power stars and blistering speed out wide.

Canterbury Crusader Nemani Nodolo has also been named and the Flying Fijians want to spoil the party in London.

Volavola fell out of favour at the Waratahs after making his Super Rugby debut in 2013.

He dropped behind Wallabies No. 10 Bernard Foley in the pecking order and has signed a deal to join the Canterbury Crusaders next year.

His presence isn't lost on one of Australia's greatest playmakers and Wallabies 1999 World Cup hero Stephen Larkham.

"He's quite a dangerous player, he has that ability to run the ball quite well and pretty good skills," said Wallabies assistant coach Larkham.

"He's got a very big kick on him and defensively he puts his body on the line … I think he'll excel with the Fiji side with the talent he's got around him. He's suited to their game."

The sell-out fixture at Twickenham will also double as NRL convert Sam Burgess' first World Cup match.

Burgess will start on England's bench less than a year after guiding South Sydney to a historic NRL premiership at ANZ Stadium.

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