Fiji hit by injuries

A BALL has yet to be kicked, but already Fiji is dealing with a mammoth injury crisis ahead of its opening Rugby World Cup game against Namibia next Saturday.

Five players – wings Michael Tagicakibau, Napolioni Nalaga and Vereniki Goneva, prop Campese Ma’afu and hooker Sunia Koto – are all battling to be fit for the match in Rotorua on September 10.

Tagicakibau is struggling with a hamstring problem, Nalaga sustained a chest injury at training on Wednesday, Goneva sprained an ankle, Ma’afu has a head injury and Koto is struggling to overcome a knock to the shoulder.

Fiji, beaten quarter-finalists at the 2007 RWC, also plays defending champions South Africa, Samoa and Wales in pool play.