Pool B: Fiji, desperate to stay on course for the World Cup quarter-finals after being crushed by France, today face a United States side determined to clinch their first win in the tournament since 1987.

"The team is straining at the leash. We realise that it isn't an easy pool in Rugby World Cup 2003, but we're excited at the opportunity in front of us," US coach Tom Billups said.

"We're looking to win a pool game. We don't care who it is against. If we can perform well on the day we can be a handful," he added.

His Fijian counterpart, Mac McCallion, also knows the importance of the pool B match.

"We realise it is a crucial game and we have to get back on track," he said. "A defeat against the US would be absolutely disastrous. I don't think I'd get on the plane and go back to Fiji . . . I think I'd go the other way."

Fiji, who have played in three of the last four World Cups and reached the quarter-finals in 1987, suffered a double blow on Saturday when were hammered 61-18 by France and lost winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca.

After scoring a flying try, the Auckland player was sinbinned for punching France flanker Olivier Magne and later suspended for two matches.

The United States, whose only World Cup win was in 1987 against Japan, will field five veterans of the 1999 tournament in the pack, captain Dave Hodges, hooker Kirk Khasigian, locks Alec Parker and Luke Gross and number eight Dan Lyle.

FIJI: A Uluinayau; M Vunibaka, A Tuilevu, S Rabeni, V Delasau; N Little, M Rauluni; N Seru/R Nyholt, G Smith, J Veitayaki, I Rawaqa, A Naevo, A Mocelutu, K Sewabu, A Doviverata (captain). Replacements: B Gadolo, N Seru/R Nyholt, V Maimuri, S Koyamaibole, W Serevi, E Ruivadra, N Ligairi.

UNITED STATES: P Emerick; D Fee, P Eloff, K Cross, R van Zyl; M Hercus, K Dalzell; M McDonald, K Khasigan, D Dorsey, A Parker, L Gross, K Schubert, D Hodges (captain), D Lyle. Replacements: M Wyatt, J Tarpoff, G Klerck, J Gouws, K Kjar, S Sika, J Buchholz.