What has happened to Fiji?

I didn't see much of the highlights on Eurosport last night but Tonga looked like they well out played Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup. I don't know much about the Fijian players but does anyone know if that was Fiji's first choice team? If it was, I don't think that Wales have too much to fear even if they chose to rest some of their front line players.[/b]
There is also that question of whether anyone in the Fijian army will be allowed into NZ because of the coups that they have had. (Actually me and Mrs Injured were in Fiji a week after a coup in 2006. It was all very friendly in that the "opposition" announced when the coup would be (I thought they were supposed to be sprung on people) and then it was delayed as the leader of the coup went to the Army-v-Police rugby match instead!)
All in all, things have just looked up for Wales, I think.

Everyone has been saying it for ages; Samoa are the big threat to Wales. Samoa.

They have a particularly strong team right now.

Samoa will be difficult opposition. So much skill and power in the side. If they can add some structure to that, they will severely test Wales and could make the knock out stages.

I agree that Samoa are a major threat (I do think that Wales should close the game down and keep it tight and they should win) but it still doesn't answer the question of what has gone wrong with Fiji?

Teams just go through good and bad phases. Fiji aren't very strong at the moment.

Didnt Fiji put a weak side out though?

Politics

Samoa are more aligned to NZ rugby that Fiji has and Fiji's in a bit of a state as Alan mentions.

But these are teams you just can't rule out come world cup time. Their game is dominated by their physical and natural attributes so although they may have to over come some poor organisational aspects these results should be taken lightly.

Fiji always have some fantastically natural, highly talented players. Hopefully Gatland won't send out the "also-rans" this time.

Shame about the political upheaval. Such an amazing country and such lovely people, a people who are totally in love with rugby too, now they have eradicated cannibalism.