The FIJI Water Flying Fijians experienced another setback in their Autumn Nations series, suffering a 34-21 defeat against France in Bordeaux. This marks the second consecutive loss for the team, following their 38-18 defeat to England earlier in the series. Captained by Tevita Ikanivere, the team’s disappointment was palpable as they felt they had a real chance to clinch a victory.
In a post-match interview, Ikanivere expressed his team’s frustration, particularly citing lapses in decision-making and discipline that allowed France to build an early 21-point lead. “We are gutted. We thought we had them,” he lamented, while also recognizing the positive aspects of their performance, including securing 56% possession and committing 165 tackles.
Despite the competitive statistics, the Flying Fijians struggled to translate their efforts into points. They showed resilience, closing the gap to 21-14 by halftime with tries from Kalaveti Ravouvou and Selestino Ravutaumada, both successfully converted by Simi Kuruvoli. Fiji tied the game at 21-21 in the second half but could not maintain the momentum, ultimately allowing France to regain control.
Looking ahead, Ikanivere emphasized the importance of learning from these experiences, focusing on the little details that can make a significant difference. He remains optimistic about the squad’s potential as they prepare for their final match this November against Spain. The skipper believes that the team possesses the courage and firepower necessary to compete against any team globally and is focusing on refining their skills for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The Flying Fijians aim to end their European tour on a positive note against Spain, scheduled for this Sunday. Ikanivere and his teammates are determined to convert their learnings into a stronger performance, igniting hope among fans and boosting their confidence as they continue to evolve in international rugby.
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