In a week where Welsh rugby saw another two players depart the World Cup training squad, the nation they'll face first in France later this year was having something of a more enjoyable seven days.
For Fiji, the week began with Semi Radradra and Seta Tamanivalu tearing up Twickenham last week for the World XV and Barbarians respectively. More than a few journalists leaving the stadium last Sunday noted that Warren Gatland's side might have a tough time ahead in Bordeaux on September 10.
Now, a week on, Fijian Drua have made history as they reached the Super Rugby play-offs after hammering the Queensland Reds 41-17 in Suva. That guaranteed them a quarter-final place, where they'll face either the Chiefs or Crusaders.
It's a remarkable achievement in only their second season in the competition. Introduced to the newly named Super Rugby Pacific last year alongside Moana Pasifika, a team made up of players with Samoan and Tongan heritage, 2022 was a tricky year for both newcomers.
They finished in the bottom two places last season. And while Moana have still struggled for results this year, Drua have found their feet with six victories - including impressive triumphs over the Crusaders and Hurricanes.
After the match, some players were in tears as the magnitude of their achievement - the first Pacific Island team to reach the Super Rugby knockout stages - sunk in..
“You can see how happy we are right now,” captain Meli Derenalagi told broadcaster Sky Sports. “Hats off to the soldiers behind me for carrying out their duty today.
“Thanks for the crowd coming out in numbers. They’ve supported us throughout the season, that’s why we played our hearts out today.”
It all bodes well for Fiji heading into the World Cup. In just under 100 days, Wales and Fiji will meet in France. Sound familiar?
Granted, it's at the start of the pool stage, rather than the end - like in 2007 - but it's just as vital.
"It's going to be massive - it's a big pool," said former Cardiff coach John Mulvihill this week. "I think the game of the tournament will be the first one between Wales and Fiji.
"If Wales can nudge that one, they'll go a long way. If they can't, I don't think they will."
Poll: How far will Wales go at the World Cup? Have your say here or below
Former Wales and New Zealand coach Steve Hansen took charge of the World XV that Radradra starred for last week. Afterwards, the two-time World Cup winning coach waxed lyrical about some of the audacious skills on show in the London sunshine.
No names were mentioned specifically, but Radradra and Tamanivalu - who Hansen capped with the All Blacks in 2016 before the centre opted to switch to Fiji - would have been high on the list, giving how they shone throughout.
He said: “There was some special talent out there, wasn’t there? You blink, you miss it, that’s how good they are.
"Imagine those guys being surrounded by quality players, what they could do. That’s why weeks like this are really special, I think.
"You get the opportunity not only to meet and grow relationships with other people, see how other people think and work, but you also get to share the rugby memories and display your skills. Again, it was remarkable a lot of the skills we did see.”
And, heading into their first World Cup with a Super Rugby franchise, Hansen believes Simon Raiwalui's side will cause some problems in Pool C.
“Fiji are always going to be difficult to beat," he added. "You look at the players we had here today and what Drua are doing in Super Rugby, I think that competition will make them stronger because they are getting consistent high performance type environment with their coaching and the quality of games they are playing.
"That will make them stronger. They’ve proven in the past they can knock one of the big tier one nations over.
"Tonga are going to be a good side. The problem is if all your skills are in the backline and you don’t have the strength up front to be able to match it, that makes it a bit difficult.
"But with a lot of the Pacific Island boys having contracts and playing all around the world, they are getting stronger and with the new rules where players can go back and play for them, which is great, they will be stronger. They’ll be good.”
Read more:
Welsh rugby plan for regional player loan system amid squad cuts
The world rugby players who'll be gone by the end of the year
WRU investigation update issued and UK Government steps in to stabilise sport
Arwel Thomas smiling again after walking away from rugby 'bitter and twisted'
