The Ospreys prop will win his 16th Welsh cap tomorrow but it will be the first time he has played Fiji and he believes a win will put Wales on the right road as they continue to build into the World Cup.
“It’s my first game against Fiji,” said James. “But we all know what they’re like. If you give them a gap they have the flair to take it.
“We need a win just to get back on the right track. We played well last week but we were very disappointed with the result. We need a win to keep confidence up.
“If we concentrate on the set-piece we can wear them down and give our backs opportunities.
“We know they will be big and strong and will have big ball carriers. There is no way it will be an easy game. We have to do a job and wear them down.”
And James believes Wales can learn from their agonising 38-34 World Cup exit to Fiji three years ago.
“Like everyone in Wales I was very disappointed,” continued James.
“It was a very open game and we gave them a lot of chances and gaps. This time we have to focus our own roles and concentrate on the set-piece to create gaps out wide.
“I was happy with the scrum against South Africa and thought it went well.
“But it was disappointing to lose because we competed, all held our hands up and matched them. We were gutted that we didn’t come off the field with a win.
“But it will be a big task again against Fiji. We’ll have to work hard to tire them out and create holes for our backs.”
With the visit of New Zealand to the Millennium Stadium in a week’s time, James is hoping he can cement his place with a big performance. Gethin Jenkins is currently ruled out with a calf injury but will be assessed ahead of the All Blacks next week.
“Gethin is a great player, whoever wears to jersey has to take the opportunity. I always know he’s there and vice versa.
“I’d love to play against the All Blacks but I’m not looking to that game yet. First it’s Fiji and i’m looking to perform to the best of my ability.
“But we need to win against Fiji to keep building . We’re training hard and playing hard but now we need a win to keep us on our way.”
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