Potter was expecting a much tougher contest from Italy than their two previous World Cup encounters, with a spot in the quarter-finals on the line at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.

They've won their two previous games - against Wales and the USA - by a combined total of 122 points, which means Italy need to win by at least 45 points to qualify for the quarter-finals, with anything less sending Fiji through to the knock-out rounds.

Potter said they would prepare for both James Tedesco and Terry Campese (calf) playing at five-eighth, with an injury cloud hanging over the former Canberra Raiders playmaker.

He was also wary of Italy's forward pack, especially Paul Vaughan, Daniel Alvaro and Nathan Brown and the offloads they could produce.

Hayne has scored two tries for Fiji so far this World Cup, the second of which came in their 14-try-to-one thrashing of Wales last weekend.

That took him to a career total of 14 World Cup tries to become the all-time leading try scorer in the tournament, one ahead of Bob Fulton and Billy Slater.

But Potter was expecting even more from Hayne, with the Gold Coast Titan named at five-eighth against Italy.

"He's been going good, I've been happy with the way he's been moving around the field," Potter said.

"I think there's still another level for him to go at and I'm sure you'll see that on Friday night. He's kicking the ball well and he's helping control the team as well."

Hayne's future has been the centre of speculation, with reports he wants to return to Sydney to be closer to his young family and his former club Parramatta were favourites to land him for next season.

But Potter didn't expect the "circus" to have any impact on Hayne's performance.

"He's pretty much just fobbed it off and it's been water off a duck's back for him, just another part of the circus that revolves around Jarryd externally in the media," he said.

"As far as when he's with us, there's no issues and he's just a regular guy."

Fiji captain Kevin Naiqama said the Bati's had developed a close bond and put that largely down to their faith.

He said they took part in "devotion" together every morning and night, which had helped prepare for the World Cup in the short time they'd had together.

That spirit was in full voice following their captain's run at Canberra Stadium on Thursday, when some lucky students from St Matthew's Primary School in Page were invited to their post-training song and prayer.

It sent shivers down your spine as the melodies echoed around the largely empty stands.

Naiqama will embody the team spirit during the Fiji national anthem before the game, when he's often seen with tears rolling down his face.

"Everyone bought in. A big part of that is to do with our devotion every morning and night and that's definitely brought the boys a lot tighter in regards to the short amount of time we've had to prepare," he said.

"There's a lot at stake tomorrow night. It's just always an honour and a privilege to represent your country, your nation, your family and friends, and I guess you see that in regards to the emotion that I show in the anthem.

"It is overwhelming. It's the pinnacle for me for rugby league to play for your country of heritage or where you were brought up. That's where both my parents grew up and it's real close to my heart and it obviously comes out during the national anthem."

RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP

Friday: Fiji v Italy at Canberra Stadium, 7.40pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Fiji: 1 Kevin Naiqama (c), 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 3 Taane Milne, 4 Akuila Uate, 5 Marcelo Montoya, 6 Jarryd Hayne, 7 Henry Raiwalui, 8 Ashton Sims, 9 Apisai Koroisau, 10 Eloni Vunakece, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Brayden Wiliame, 13 Tui Kamikamica. Bench: 14 Joe Lovodua, 15 Jacob Saifiti, 16 Junior Roqica, 17 Ben Nakubuwai. Reserves: 18 James Storer, 19 Salesi Faingaa, 20 Sitiveni Moceidreke, 21 Pio Sokobalavu.

Italy: 1 James Tedesco, 2 Mason Cerruto, 3 Justin Castellaro, 4 Nathan Milone, 5 Josh Mantellato, 6 Terry Campese, 7 Ryan Ghietti, 8 Paul Vaughan, 9 Joseph Tramontana, 10 Daniel Alvaro, 11 Jayden Walker, 12 Mark Minichiello (c), 13 Nathan Brown. Bench: 15 Brendan Santi, 16 Shannon Wakeman, 17 Joel Riethmuller, 18 Christophe Calegari. Reserves: 19 Gavin Hiscox, 20 Richard Lepori, 21 Colin Wilkie, 22 Mirco Bergamasco.