'We're pathetic'
REACTION: Mathieu Bastareaud was an angry man after his side lost 14-21 to Fiji in Paris on Saturday.
After France captain France captain Guilhem Guirado was replaced by rookie Julien Marchand on 68 minutes, Bastareaud took over the captaincy.
Television microphones caught the angry post-match speech he addressed to his players.
Bastareaud said in colourful language: “Who do we think we are? We beat Argentina and we think we’re something special. We have to start from scratch now and we’re at rock bottom. Because we’re pathetic, shameful, we have to be aware of that.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHyqg-jOC4A
Coach Jacques Brunel claimed there were only negatives from his side’s eighth defeat in 11 game this year.
“It’s a big disappointment. It’s difficult for me to find anything positive from tonight,” the 64-year-old said.
Fiji coach John McKee put the momentous feat into context at his post-match press conference.
“It’s a massive achievement. We told each other this week that if we beat France we would make it into the pantheon of Fijian rugby,” the New Zealander said.
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
AFP
