World Cup hosts Les Blues the boss of Fiji in warm-up clash
MATCH REPORT: France has beaten Fiji 34-17 in a World Cup warm-up match at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes on Saturday.
The hosts scored three tries to the two of Fiji in an unconvincing game that was won by the boot of Melvyn Jaminet, who slotted two conversions and five penalties to clinch the game for the hosts of the World Cup.
On Monday, France coach Fabien Galthie will name his squad for the competition, which they open by hosting New Zealand on September 8.
“I’m sorry but I’m not going to respond to your question. I saw it coming,” Galthie told TF1 after being asked about next week’s announcement.
“We felt the team go up a level tonight.”
“This performance will help us continue to prepare and progress,” he added.
La Rochelle’s Antoine Hastoy was given the chance to start at flyhalf with Bordeaux-Begles’ Matthieu Jalibert on the bench.
The pair are fighting to start the World Cup’s opening game with the All Blacks in Paris instead of the injured Romain Ntamack.
Fiji wing Josua Tuisova, who has played his club rugby in France since 2013, withdrew from the game in Nantes earlier in the day with Toulon’s Jiuta Wainiqolo taking his place.
Accurate Jaminet
The hosts led 9-3 after 20 minutes as fullback Jaminet, competing with Brice Dulin for a World Cup spot, kicked three penalties before Caleb Muntz responded for the visitors.
Galthie’s side took hold of a loose affair by the break as hooker Peato Mauvaka and prop Uini Atonio crashed over either side of Tevita Ikanivere’s try for Fiji and Les Bleus had a 21-10 advantage.
Toulouse’s Jaminet made it 24-10 with a 42nd-minute penalty before Fiji captain Semi Radradra cut the deficit with a trademark bulldozing effort.
Muntz converted to make it 24-17 with half an hour to play in humid conditions at Stade de la Beaujoire.
With a quarter of the game remaining, France ended Fiji’s hopes of a second straight win in the fixture as flank Sekou Macalou intercepted Frank Lomani’s pass to run in from almost 50 metres.
Jaminet took his tally for the game to 16 points with a conversion before Hastoy was replaced after a quiet performance for Jalibert, the favourite to stand in for Ntamack, with the score at 31-17.
The fullback kicked another penalty with 10 minutes to play as Mauvaka moved to No.8 and took over as captain with Gregory Alldritt off.
Fiji then failed to claim a late consolation try as they lost possession at a line-out near the France line less than three weeks from the start of the World Cup.
They finish their preparation for the tournament at England next weekend before starting their World Cup campaign against Wales on September 10.
Hosts France have just one game before facing the All Blacks, with next Sunday’s game with Australia in Paris.
Scorers:
For France:
Tries: Mauvaka, Atonio, Macalou
Cons: Jaminet 2
Pens: Jaminet 5
For Fiji:
Tries: Ikanivere, Radradra
Cons: Muntz 2
Pens: Muntz
Teams:
France: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 13 Jonathan Danty, 12 Arthur Vincent, 11 Yoram Moefana, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Gregory Alldritt (captain), 7 Dylan Cretin, 6Francois Cros; 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1Reda Wardi
Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Thomas Laclayat, 19 Bastien Chalureau, 20 Thibaud Flament, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Matthieu Jalibert
Fiji: 15 Sireli Maqala, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Iosefo Masi, 12 Semi Radradra (captain), 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Levani Botia, 7 Viliame Mata, 6 Meli Derenalagi, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 4 Isoa Nasilasila,3 Mesake Doge, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Eroni Mawi.
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Luke Tagi, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Simi Kuruvoli, 22 Jiuta Wainiqolo
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (FIR), Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
Additional reporting: AFP
