Saturday evening, the team of France rugby won a hard-fought victory against the Fiji on the score of 34-21ending the worst losing streak under the coach's leadership Fabien Galthié.
In persistent rain, the French team quickly took the lead, leading 21-0 in 20 minutesBut after the break, the Fijians equalized, revealing some weaknesses in the French tackling. It's worth remembering that Fiji had already beaten France in 2018 in Paris.
Penalties and a decisive try
Some penalties of Thomas Ramos allowed France to catch its breath, but the result was only secured with the Nicolas Depoortère's second attempt, with nine minutes to go.
"It takes three players to stop one player; that's the hardest thing about them."explained the French captain Gregory Alldritt.
This victory by four tries to three puts an end to a series of four consecutive defeats.
A fragile defense and changes in the team
After last weekend's defeat against South Africa and with the team seemingly out of sorts, France carried out seven changes in the starting XV, including Alldritt and Charles OllivonHowever, the Six Nations champion defence showed weaknesses, and the urgency subsided after the initial 21-0.
The Fijians, unchanged from their close match against England the previous week, performed longer range, covered an additional 400 meters and forced France to carry out twice as many tackles, but were penalized by disciplinary problems and sloppy touches.
A dazzling start for France
Pierre-Louis Barassi he made a huge breakthrough to set up his centre partner for the first try Depoortere from the sixth minute. The hooker Julien Marchand then scored from a lineout scrum, and Ollivon converted after an interception by Damian Penaud and an assist from Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
Fiji responds brilliantly
The Fijians responded with some outstanding individual tries. The center Kalaveti Ravouvou broke through two tackles and covered 40 meters to mark. Simone Kuruvoli took over at the foot after a failed attempt to Caleb Muntz.
Just before halftime, the right winger Selestino Ravutaumada, after receiving his second yellow card in two matches, broke through the French defense to score a try.
A decisive second half
After the break, eight phases of play allowed the left winger Jiuta Wainiqolo to carry Depoortère and Ramos into touch for another try. The score remained level for about five minutes before Ramos does not give France the advantage again (27-21) and he prepares Depoortère's second try.
Wainiqolo almost scored a second try late in the game, but Sheepish tackled him, an action which also earned him a Ramos receives a yellow card.
