[2014 EOYT] France vs Fiji

[Big Ewis]

source: Rugbyrama French time (GMT +1)

Location: Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, France.
Ref: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Date: November 8th 2014

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[Flyingdolphins]

What time in the UK is the game on

 

[donmcdazzle]

Can't wait to see the Fijian wingers score 15 tries between them.

 

[Flyingdolphins]

Which one the one playing for Fiji or the one for France?

 

[Darwin]

Can't wait to see the Fijian wingers score 15 tries <strike>between them</strike> each.

Fixed that for you

Any guesses on the starting lineups? I understand Nadolo has been ruled out of this match which is disappointing, as I was quite looking forward to watch him and Bastareaud crashing together in midfield!

 

[Flyingdolphins]

1. Koroi (Super rugby/ITM)
2. Tuapati (ITM)
3. Yanuyanutawa (Pro D 12)
4. Cavubati (ITM)
5. Nakarawa (Pro D 12)
6. Waqaniburotu (Top 14)
7. Qera (Top 14)
8. Matadigo (Top 14)
9. Matawalu (Pro D 12)
10. Matavesi (Pro D 12)
11. Tikoirotuma (Aviva Premiership)
12. Botia (Top 14)
13. Goneva (Aviva Premiership)
14. Ratini (Top 14)
15. Talebula (Top 14)

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Wow, the French really couldn't give a flying Fijian about French national rugby, huh..

It looks like myself is more concerned than the French posters on here put together. I'll wait for the line-up before commenting. Looking forward to seeing a few SA/French faces in the mix.

 

[Flyingdolphins]

It's understandable since we're tier 2. I'm just hoping Fiji plays a good game to prepare them for Wales following week.

 

[Big Ewis]

yeah lol @stormer2010 it's always exciting to see so many new faces in a bleus jersey, and at home...but ever since Saint-André man...I think we're all optimistic, secretly or openly at different degrees, but as each tour/tournament has passed, so does our patience and expectations wither. We're promised 'ok ok this time it's the good one !' but there seems to be absolutely no pattern whatsoever, if not globally more or less a deterioration. We never played as bad as in Australia last time out, never. Even the tour of NZ a year before right after the Wooden Spoon at the 6N was heaps better and we were in fact very competitive for 2 out of 3 despite the 10-13pt margins.
So I'll always be *more or less* excited about seeing new guys wear bleus, but it's just taxing and our memory isn't short.

Fiji have the best athletes in Rugby and have been on much better form as of 2014, but given our science of the game, tradition and current talent throughout the sheet, being at home, we rightfully should smash them to bits. We'll win this, but I'm not even too confident...it's just really too weird being a France fan today, and we don't deserve a quarter of this. It's an absolute joke...

 

[TheSaffycen]

1. Koroi (Super rugby/ITM)
2. Tuapati (ITM)
3. Yanuyanutawa (Pro D 12)
4. Cavubati (ITM)
5. Nakarawa (Pro D 12)
6. Waqaniburotu (Top 14)
7. Qera (Top 14)
8. Matadigo (Top 14)
9. Matawalu (Pro D 12)
10. Matavesi (Pro D 12)
11. Tikoirotuma (Aviva Premiership)
12. Botia (Top 14)
13. Goneva (Aviva Premiership)
14. Ratini (Top 14)
15. Talebula (Top 14)

Do Fiji have a better 10 than Matavesi ? I always thought that he was a centre, who could kind of fill in at 10.
I would guess that France will win but if the game opens up then the likes of Goneva, Talebula and Ratini could have a field day against France. Or France could turn up and then nobody has fun..

 

[Big Ewis]

Do Fiji have a better 10 than Matavesi ? I always thought that he was a centre, who could kind of fill in at 10.
I would guess that France will win but if the game opens up then the likes of Goneva, Talebula and Ratini could have a field day against France. Or France could turn up and then nobody has fun..

or France could not turn up, and then nobody has fun

 

[Jbobo]

With the crisis in France, I can see Fiji Taking this by the skin of their teeth. Fiji by 5-7

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

IF France does not turn up and Fiji somehow put in the performance of their lives... we could see Fiji ahead of france in the IRB rankings. France, who I can remember when they were 3rd overall.

Check 'em; http://www.therugbyforum.com/threads/34347-IRB-rankings-the-popssible-changes-after-the-weekend

And no, this is not just some lame attempt by me to promote some thread I started and put a lot of time and effort in, that died a quite though not entirely dignified death, and now I am trying my hand at necromancy all while totally losing control of this sentence and my already tenuous grip on the English language. Not just that. This is a possibility though certainly not a probability. But the mere fact that it is a possibility and no disrespect to my Fijian friends but comparing the budgets the two are running on.. it is possible, entirely plausable and possibly the most postively preposterous predicament... ah, fek it, where is France!? I keep coming back to lament.

 

[Flyingdolphins]

Most of the Fijian backs are better than their French counterparts for example last season's top try scorer in the top 14 Talebula as well as this season's current top try scorer Ratini with 9 tries in 6 games. Our problems as usual is our forwards particularly the props. If the game opens up and have less scrums then I'm game. Our backrows aren't too bad and our locks who plays in the top tier competition like Nakarawa for Glasgow and Cavubati ITM will also be okay so our lineouts and general play will be okay too. It's the scrums that really is appalling. So less of that then perhaps we have a chance. Although I suspect regardless of their internal politics France will turn up and when they do I just hope we keep up.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I've always loved Fiji and have the utmost respect for your men but always felt that even with those ridiculous athletes 11 to 15, the 15 man code is won, for the most part from 1 to 10 and that's exactly where I feel Fiji lack a star or 7. I've heard rumors that Fiji are looking to fix that though- best of luck!

 

[Flyingdolphins]

Yeah mate that's absolutely right. Forwards win the games backs only decide by how much. It's our love for sevens that has a big effect on our love for backs and lack of for the engine room love affair. It is true though we're trying to sort that out but that's a long term thing. For now we're just entertaining the crowds.

Any thoughts on the French squad?

 

[TheSaffycen]

Haven't seen the France team yet has it been announced ?

Anyway I thought what about a pacific Island XV
1.Mulipola
2.Ti Paulo (Clermont guy)
3.Johnstone
4.Tekori
5.Nakarawa
6.Qera
7.Lam
8.Fonua
9.Fotuali'i
10.Pisi
11.Goneva
12.Nadolo
13.Pisi
14.Nalaga
15.Talebula

Sorry if I absolutely butchered the names Also really hard to pick the backs you end up leaving out some real talent like Ratini, Vainkolo and Tikoratuma (so sorry about spelling)

 

[Flyingdolphins]

I'll put Matawalu at 9, Nalaga at 11, Ratini at 14 and Goneva at 13.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Bloody hell I forgot about Matawalu !! Agreed put him at 9, Fotu at 10 as Nadolo kicks. I also went for Pisi at 13 as I feel he is the better fit for balance. Pisi is a true 13 whereas Goneva is a winger everyday of the week, Niki is probably a better player as such but not at 13.

 

[Flyingdolphins]

Okay fair enough. In that case I'll replace Nalaga with Ratini.