FIJI SHOW RESILIENCE AND PURPOSE IN ENCOURAGING PERFORMANCE AGAINST WORLD NO.5 FRANCE
Fiji may have fallen 34 – 21 to a powerful French side in Paris, but the performance delivered on the grand stage showed once again that the Flying Fijians are tracking in the right direction toward their ultimate goal: Rugby World Cup 2027. Against the world’s fifth ranked team, Fiji dominated key areas of the match and displayed growth, courage, and the ability to challenge any top tier team.
Fiji controlled 56 percent possession, made 141 carries to France’s 84, produced 927 metres of go forward, and forced France into 165 tackles, more than double Fiji’s count. Those numbers underline a team that not only stayed in the contest, but dictated large parts of it.
STRONG FIGHTBACK, STRONGER BELIEF
After France raced to a 21 0 lead, capitalising on a yellow card and punishing moments of ill discipline, Fiji’s response was immediate and powerful. Tries to Kalaveti Ravouvou and Selestino Ravutaumada before halftime turned the momentum and cut the deficit to 21 14.
Just three minutes into the second half, Jiuta Wainiqolo finished a superb team move to level the scores at 21 21. From there, the match tightened into an arm wrestle, with France taking penalties to regain breathing room. A late try sealed the result, but not before Fiji had forced France into long periods of defensive pressure.
MICK BURNES: “WE ARE LEARNING. WE ARE GETTING CLOSER TO WHERE WE WANT TO BE.”
Head coach Mick Burnes praised the team’s resilience and growth:
“We let them get away early and did not quite hang onto the ball or play in the right areas. But when we did, and we held onto our structure, we asked a lot of questions and got back into the game.”
Burnes emphasised that the match highlighted key learnings as Fiji builds toward 2027:
“We are learning where our gaps are. As we chase down 2027, we are getting a lot closer to where we want to be.”
He also acknowledged the team’s unity and discipline off the field:
“They have come together really well in a short period of time. They are resilient, and they have worked extremely hard on their game, a big improvement over the last 18 months.”
CAPTAIN TEVITA IKANIVERE: “WE HAVE THE FIREPOWER TO TAKE ON ANY TEAM IN THE WORLD.”
Captain Tevita Ikanivere said the team was disappointed not to take the win, but proud of the fight they showed.
“We are gutted. We think we had them. Some decision making and discipline let us down, especially letting a side like France go 21 up.”
But his message was clear: Fiji are not far from where they need to be.
“We have the courage. We have the firepower to take on any team in the world. It comes down to the little moments and little disciplines, and I think we can do it come 2027.”
With a final match of the season ahead, Ikanivere said the team is motivated:
“We want to end the year on a high and go back to our clubs happy, looking forward to next year.”
RESPECT FROM THE OPPOSITION
France’s coaching and playing group were generous in their praise of Fiji’s quality and improvement.
Shawn Edwards, France Defence Coach:
“Those three quarters must be pretty hard to tackle. They gave England a great game and came to France not in Fiji conditions and did very, very well.”
French Captain Gregory Alldritt:
“Fiji are improving week after week. You need three players to stop one of them.”
Player of the Match Charles Ollivon:
“Every time we play Fiji, it is a physical battle. The Fijian boys are incredible.”
SMALL MOMENTS, BIG LEARNINGS: EYES ON 2027
Despite the final scoreline, the match reflected a team growing in confidence, capability, and cohesion. Fiji out carried, out ran, and out possessed France, a clear indication that the structures are taking shape and the squad is building depth and discipline.
The little moments, set piece accuracy, discipline under pressure, and early game decision making, will continue to be refined. But the foundations are strong.
As Mick Burnes said, Fiji is getting closer to where they want to be, and performances like this show that the gap to the world’s best is narrowing.
Next week’s match in Spain offers one final opportunity in 2025 to finish the year with momentum, and Fiji will head there with belief, unity, and the firepower to make it count.
The journey to Rugby World Cup 2027 continues, and Fiji is very much on track.
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Saturday 15th November, 2025
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
FRANCE 34 FIJI 21
Half-time: 21-14
Referee: Christophe Ridley
FRANCE (1-15): Jean-Baptiste Gros, Julien Marchand, Regis Montagne, Charles Ollivon, Romain Taofifenua, Anthony Jelonch, Oscar Jegou, Gregory Alldritt (captain), Maxime Lucu, Romain Ntamack, Louisa Bielle-Biarrey, Pierre-Loius Barassi, Nicolas Deporortere, Damian Penaud, Thomas Ramos
Reserves:Maxime Lamothe, Rodrigue Neti, Thomas Laclayat, Jimi Maximin, Hugo Auradou, Paul Boudehent, Baptiste Jauneau, Emilien Gailleton
Tries: Depoortere (2), Marchand, Ollivon
Conversions: Ramos (4)
Penalty Goals: Ramos (2)
FIJI (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Isoa Rasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua, Pita Gus Sowakula, Elia Canakaivata, Viliame Mata, Simione Kuruvoli Caleb Muntz, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Josua Tuisova, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Selestino Ravutaumada, Salesi Rayasi
Reserves: Zurieal Togiatama, Atu Sokobale, Tim Hoyt, Mesake Vocevoce, Kitione Salawa, Sam Wye, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Sireli Maqala
Tries: Ravouvou, Ravutaumada, Wainiqolo
Con: Kuruvoli (3)
EVENTS:
KO
6min – TRY France Depoortere; Conversion Ramos – 7-0
8mins – PEN GOAL Fiji, Muntz (missed) – 7-0
13mins – YELLOW CARD Fiji, Ravutaumada
15mins – TRY France Marchand; Conversion Ramos – 14-0
19mins – TRY France Ollivon, Conversion Ramos – 21-0
28mins – TRY Fiji Ravouvou, Conversion Kuruvoli – 21-7
40mins – TRY Fiji, Ravutaumada, Conversion Kuruvoli – 21-14
HALF-TIME France 21 Fiji 14
43mins – TRY Fiji, Wainiqolo, Conversion Kuruvoli – 21-21
50mins – PEN GOAL France, Ramos – 24-21
52mins – PEN GOAL France, Ramos (missed) – 24-21
56mins – PEN GOAL France, Ramos – 27-21
60mins – PEN GOAL Fiji, Kuruvoli (missed) – 27-21
71mins – TRY France, Depoortere; Conversion Ramos – 34-21
78mins – YELLOW CARD, France, Ramos
Full-time France 34 Fiji 21