Fiji win over France ‘incomprehensible’

Fiji toppled France for the first time in a rugby international by 21-14 at the Stade de France on Saturday night.

Le Bleus came from behind to lead 14-12 at half-time, with two tries from captain Guilhem Guirado, both converted by Baptiste Serin, cancelling out Fijian tries from outside centre Semi Radradra and winger Josua Tuisova. But they then drew a blank in the second half as Fiji standoff Ben Volavola kicked three penalties to seal a glorious win.

Fiji had beaten tier-one sides Scotland and Italy in recent years, but this could be their biggest triumph since defeating Australia 18-16 in 1954 in Sydney.

“We didn’t respect them, they walked all over us,” said France centre Mathieu Bastareaud. He described the France team as “little boys.” The team’s coach, Jacques Brunel, now heads into a World Cup year with a side facing grave doubts over their skills and mentality.

“We are going to have to ask questions of ourselves,” said Brunel, who complimented Fiji on showing more enterprise but said losing was “incomprehensible – it shows our inconsistency”.

Fiji’s win might have been even more emphatic were it not for two disallowed tries.