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Fiji Airways Flying Fijians Coach John McKee says it is really important for the team to win the physical collision against Japan in their opening match of the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup this evening.

McKee wants the team to repeat the level of physicality they provided against the Maori All Blacks in Suva.

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Got your mates coming over and the bbq fired up?.. Because #ItsFijisTime GAME DAY in Kamaishi as our Fiji Airways Flying Fijians 🇫🇯 take on the Brave Blossoms from Japan 🇯🇵. ⏰ 5.50pm TONIGHT Saturday 27th July 📺 Fiji One

A post shared by Official Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugbyunion) on Jul 26, 2019 at 5:20pm PDT

He is expecting a fast paced game from Japan and says they will need to work very hard in their defensive system.

McKee says Japan will try and keep the ball alive with quick rucks.

History between Fiji and Japan

Fiji is aiming for their 15th win over Japan.

This is the 18th test between Fiji and Japan.

Fiji leads the head to head 14‑3.

It's under 24 hours until FIJI'S TIME in Japan when our @FijiAirways Flying Fijians take on the Brave Blossoms in the opening round of their @WorldRugby Pacific Nations Cup defence. Take a good look at who is stepping onto field bearing the White Jersey for our team#itsfijistime pic.twitter.com/ioCiWqFX4T
— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) July 25, 2019

The Flying Fijians won 38‑25 when the sides last met in France in November, 2016.

Fiji have won the last four Pacific Nations Cup and have five titles overall.

Fiji can climb to 8th place

The Flying Fijians can climb above France into eighth place on the World Rugby rankings if they win by more than 15 points against Japan in the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup this evening.

Fiji is currently ranked in 9th place on the World Rugby rankings.

According to World Rugby, Fiji can also fall as low as 11th place depending on the score margin in the match against Japan as well as the outcome of the Australia v Argentina match in the Rugby Championship.

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TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 | Here is your Fiji Airways Flying Fijians starting line up for PNC opener against 🇯🇵 Comment below and send our boys some well wishes #itsfijistime🇫🇯 👊

A post shared by Official Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugbyunion) on Jul 24, 2019 at 8:52pm PDT