Fiji shock France

MATCH REPORT: Fiji beat France 21-14 on Saturday to claim a historic first victory over the French in more than 60 years less than a year before the World Cup.

The teams have faced each other on 10 occasions in more than half a century and the Pacific Islanders finally claimed a memorable win in Paris despite being denied two debatable tries by referee Matthew Carley and his television match official.

All of Fiji’s points came from backs who play for French clubs as Bordeaux-Begles’ Semi Radradra and Toulon’s Josua Tuisova scored tries and Racing92’s Benjamin Volavola added a conversion and three penalty goals.

France captain Guilhem Guirado crossed twice for the visitors.

Les Bleus failed to apply any sort of fluidity in attack which was surprising after an impressive display with ball in hand in last Saturday’s 28-13 victory over Argentina. A trio of second-half penalties easily converted by Volavola claimed a momentous win for John McKee’s side less than a year away from the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Powerful three-quarter Radradra opened the scoring at a half-full Stade de France crossing after less than 20 minutes after crashing through four defenders before stretching to dot the ball down for the first try.

The home side’s captain Guirado brought the teams level to claim his third try in as many Test matches which came from a powerful rolling maul and the Toulon skipper gladfully scored

Guirado’s Toulon team-mate Tuisvoa re-claimed the advantage as he made the most of a clinical move from a scrum 40 metres out on the half-hour mark.

The first controversial decision came after 36 minutes as Radradra was judged to be offside as he played the ball at ruck before passing the ball for Veriniki Goneva.

Guirado added a second touchdown four minutes into first-half injury time as he profited from another dominant rolling maul. Serin’s conversion meant the home side led 14-12 at the break.

The visitors regained the advantaged six minutes into the second half as Volavola kicked a penalty goal.

They were denied by the video referee for the second time as lock Tevita Cavubati was judged to have tackled Huget late before Tuisova had managed to score.

Volavola added a second three-pointer after an hour as French forwards were penalised for not rolling away at a ruck.

France coach Jacques Brunel went looking for a comeback and called upon youngsters from his substitutes bench.

Uncapped front-rowers Demba Bamba and Julien Marchand, as well as 22-year-old Antoine Dupont, were brought onto the field during the final 20 minutes.

Les Bleus were camped in the Fijian 22 metres making easily-readable one-out passes to forwards, scrum-half Dupont attempting to add much-needed pace and dynamism to the attack.

Despite Brunel’s efforts and Dupont’s energy, the Pacific Islanders’ defence held strong. They cleared their lines comfortably ending up in the French 22.

Former Bordeaux-Begles outside-half Volavola added a third penalty kick with the clock in the red which led to the Fijians on the field to fall to their knees in prayer thanking for an unforgettable evening in the French capital.

The scorers:

For France:
Tries: Guirado 2
Cons: Serin 2

For Fiji:
Tries: Radradra, Tuisova
Con: Volavola
Pens: Volavola 3

France: 15 Benjamin Fall, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Yoann Huget, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Baptiste Serin, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Artur Iturria, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado (c), 1 Jefferson Poirot
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Dany Priso, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Felix Lambey, 20 Kelian Galletier, 21 Antoine Dupont, 22 Anthony Belleau, 23 Geoffrey Doumayrou

Fiji: 15 Metuisela Talebula, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Semi Radradra, 12 Jale Vatubua, 11 Vereniki Goneva, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Peceli Yato, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (c), 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Sam Matavesi, 1 Campese Maafu
Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Kalivati Tawake, 19 Albert Tuisue, 20 Semi Kunatani, 21 Henry Seniloli, 22 Alivereti Veitokani, 23 Eroni Sau

Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Tom Foley (England), Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)