Jiuta Wainiqolo may be the best wing on earth. On Saturday, he is aiming to inflict some of his scorching, stepping magic on a wobbling England.
Despite Fiji being beaten by Wales last weekend Wainiqolo was in sensational form, making 173 metres ball in hand and beating 19 tacklers in the process "I was a striker - a good header, like Harry Kane!
" Fiji wing Jiuta Wainiqolo is remembering his days trying out for his country's under-20 football team. The 27-year-old is now focused on the oval ball. But this season, he has had a strike-rate to match the prolific Bayern Munich forward, who is spearheading England's round-ball World Cup bid. Louis Bielle-Biarrey was his nearest rival.
The France whizz had 13 tries for European champions Bordeaux Begles. Playing for Lyon at the other end of the French top flight, however, Wainqolo crossed 18 times in 20 games, producingAt Test level, he was the creator of one of the tries of 2025, gathering a bobbling, backward ball deep in his own half andAnd, on Saturday, in the hours before Kane and company take on Norway in a World Cup quarter-final, he will attempt to dazzle England with some of that magic on the rugby pitch.
"We watched a bit of England's game against South Africa and South Africa are world number one, so they're physical, but I think we are more physical than South Africa," he says. "We will balance it out and be a bit more physical because that's what South Africa did with England. " Wainqolo, 6ft 2in and 15st 4lb, puts some of his own power, pace and evasiveness down to the footballing drills he still leans on.
"I played football in school and then was blessed to get picked for Fiji's under-20s squad," he remembers. "I was training with players who are now representing Fiji , some of them are playing for clubs in New Zealand and Australia. "I love the agility training we did - I still do it now, it is so good. It helps my ankles, legs, changing direction, sidesteps, I love it.
"Knowing that the Olympic Sevens stage would be a prominent platform to earn a lucrative overseas contract, a 22-year-old Wainiqolo, playing domestically in Fiji and not part of the top-tier Sevens circuit, forced his way into the country's 12-strong all-star squad for Tokyo 2021. A Covid-affected build-up turned a one-week training camp turn into four months away from their families for Fiji's players as they locked down and knuckled down on their title defence.
In Japan, Wainiqolo was the team's top try-scorer, crossing five times in their gold-winning campaign. But, at the end of the 2024-25 season, Wainiqolo felt that, with league rules encouraging Top 14 clubs to favour home-grown talent, he was falling behind the team's French wings Gabin Villiere and Gael Drean.
"At Lyon there is no Jiff problem, I get to play every match," says Wainiqolo. "I was just so happy. I don't worry about the stats and the tries. I'm just enjoying playing.
I love this game.
" Wainiqolo has topped the try-scoring standings in the Top 14 despite a mediocre campaign by Lyon overall At Toulon, Wainiqolo had a clutch of English team-mates, with Kyle Sinckler, David Ribbans and Lewis Ludlam on the books. At Lyon, there is just one. But Sam Simmonds' own pace and determination has impressed Wainiqolo, even if the former Exeter man's hairline hasn't.
"To be the captain for Lyon, as a foreigner, it's so hard in the Top 14. He's a great leader, a great team-mate, I love hanging out with him, but he is bald now!
"Wainqolo says he may drop Simmonds a message in the build-up to Saturday's game for any inside knowledge on England, but he knows there is enough nous in his own group to get the job done. "We were so, so happy and so excited - that team that played against England, it was a bit physical and direct," he remembers.
Please follow us on Google to support usWainiqolo England South Africa Lyon Bayern Munich Kane
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Vakatawa close to making Test comeback with FijiVirimi Vakatawa, whose power and pace graced France's midfield, could turn out for Fiji against England on Saturday.
Read more »
Superb England inflict record T20 defeat on IndiaEngland inflict a record defeat on India in the third Twenty20 at Trent Bridge to give the home side a 2-0 lead with two matches in the series remaining.
Read more »
England vs Norway World Cup Quarter-Final: The Legend of Lillelien's CommentaryAs England and Norway prepare to meet in the World Cup quarter-finals, we revisit the historic 1981 qualifier and Bjørge Lillelien's iconic commentary that lampooned Margaret Thatcher, which remains a defining moment in sports broadcasting and a symbol of Norwegian sporting pride.
Read more »
World Cup quarterfinals feature soccer powerhouses from Argentina and Spain to France and EnglandEight teams are left in the World Cup, and the quarterfinals feature the top four countries in FIFA’s pretournament men’s world rankings plus two others in the top 10.
Read more »