By Gareth Duggan, PA Sport

Japan believe they can achieve a famous victory in Townsville on Thursday when they meet a Fijian team lacking fitness and cohesion in crucial decision-making areas.

Japan have already caused both Scotland and France some major headaches before falling short in both matches, but have noted deficiencies in the Fijian side which can be exploited.

Captain Takuro Miuchi even has one eye on grabbing a bonus point in their final match in front of a Townsville crowd that has taken the Cherry Blossoms to their heart.

"From what we saw in their last two games the Fijian forwards have tired in the second half," said Miuchi.

"Maybe they have changed their pack so that they can move around more and have some more fitness in there.

"In order to qualify for the quarter-finals we need to aim to win with a bonus point. Although we need it (the bonus point) it does not matter if we only win by one point, just as long as we win."

Fijian coach Mac McCallion knows his team have a point to prove and face a side in good form with strong local support.

"The Townsville people have taken to them very well, and made them feel appreciated, but there will also be plenty of Fiji fans in the stands," said McCallion.

"They are playing very well even though they haven't actually won a game. The first 20 minutes will decide which direction the game is heading. We will need to score a few tries to get ahead.

"They show lots of commitment to the game, we will definitely have to play much better to beat them."

McCallion has made seven changes to his side, including a new lock pairing of Emori Katalau and Kele Leawere, but the key change is the introduction of veteran fly-half Waisale Serevi for his first start of the tournament in place of Nick Little.

The New Zealand-born coach was unhappy with the way his team failed to carry out his game plan in the narrow win over the United States and Little's demotion to the bench along with scrum-half Moses Rauluni is part of the fallout.

He said: "This team has a lot of potential and I am hoping we will hit the right notes against Japan. We are a far better side than we have shown so far in this tournament."

Japan fly-half Andy Miller certainly expects the Fijians will be fired up for the match as a result.

"I expect that they are going to have some of their big guys coming at me to try and tire me out. Hopefully, I can get out there and take a few of their knees," he said.

"They have bought in new halves and a few new players, so it is obvious that the Fiji side are going to move the ball around."

Fiji are waiting on the fitness of tighthead prop Nacanieli Seru, who has a thigh injury and will be replaced by Joe Veitayaki if the knock fails to respond to treatment.