Fiji confirmed as Wales" Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool A opponents alongside ...

Warren Gatland’s Welsh side will face Fiji in the World Cup Pool next year after the South Sea Islanders thrashed Cook Islands 108-6 to qualify for the same pool as Wales, hosts England and Australia.

Wales play Fiji on Thursday, October 1 at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium while the Islanders will play England at Twickenham in Pool A on Friday, September 26 next year in the tournament’s opening game.

Fiji, who have now qualified for seven of the last eight World Cups, knocked Wales out of the 2007 tournament with a 38-34 victory while Wales beat them 66-0 in the 2011 tournament.

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Cook Islands had a 6-5 lead after 27 minutes in the Fijian capital Suva, but were then overwhelmed in the final Oceania qualifying region match as the hosts scored 17 tries, including 13 in the second half.

When Fiji reached 90 points, they inflicted on the world’s 46th-ranked side their heaviest ever international defeat.

Fiji captain Akapusi Qera said: “It was a big game for us as a team and as a nation. It’s a big thing for a rugby player growing up to qualify for the Rugby World Cup and that’s what motivated us in the second half.”

The fifth and final Pool A place at the 2015 tournament will be decided in a repechage, which is almost at the semi-final stage.

Russia are awaiting the outcome of the Africa Cup qualifying competition, which takes place from 28 June to 6 July and involves hosts Madagascar, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The African event winners will fill the last place in Pool B in 2015, taking on holders New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and Georgia. Russia will face the runners-up of the African qualifiers in the repechage last four.

Hong Kong are scheduled to meet Uruguay in the other semi-final, but dates have yet to be confirmed for those qualifier knockout games.

Wales Rugby World Cup 2015 schedule:

September 20, Millennium Stadium: Wales v repechage play-off winner

September 26, Twickenham: England v Wales

October 1, Millennium Stadium: Wales v Fiji

October 10, Twickenham: Australia v Wales

Article source: http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/11302439.Tributes_pour_in_for__lsquo_Mr_York_Rugby_rsquo__Pete_Warters/?ref=rss

Fiji confirmed as Wales" Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool A opponents alongside ...