Marseille, 2007 - the day Fiji could smell the semis

MARSEILLE, France : Fiji face England on Sunday bidding, for the third time, to become the first Tier Two team to make the Rugby World Cup semi-finals, having come so agonisingly close in their last opportunity 16 years ago.

The islanders actually made the last eight of the inaugural competition in 1987, despite losing two of their three pool games, but were comfortably despatched by France.

It was a different story in 2007, however, as they famously beat Wales in a Nantes pool classic to make the last eight and a meeting with champions-in-waiting South Africa.

It looked to be heading for a relatively routine for the Springboks as they dominated the first half, led 13-3 at the break and stretched it to 20-6 with a counter-attacking JP Pietersen try, with Fiji then suffering a yellow card for centre Seru Rabeni.

However, what followed was one of the most exciting and tense 20 minutes in World Cup history as 14-man Fiji suddenly found the explosive attacking verve that has made them such a success in Sevens for so long.

Winger Vilimoni Delasau chased his own kick for a try and two minutes later the Velodrome was in uproar as, after a thrilling length of the field attack, captain Mosese Rauluni slipped through a gap to send Sireli Bobo over for another try.

Seremaia Bai converted to make it 20-20 with 20 minutes to go, which was when Springbok captain John Smit famously got his men into a huddle and told them he could see in their eyes what he had seen in those of the Australia and New Zealand players as they were upset by France and England the previous day.

"He told them to snap out of it and it was a magnificent example of leadership under the most intense pressure," coach Jake White said after the match.

A Percy Montgomery