A daunting task awaits the FIJI Water Flying Fijians rugby side this Sunday as they prepare to battle the French on their home turf in Bordeaux.
France, who are currently ranked number five, are eager to get back to winning ways after a 17-32 loss against the Springboks last week.
With the French pride on the line, the Les Bleus will want to make a statement against the Flying Fijians in front of their proud fans in Bordeaux.
In 2018 the Flying Fijians recorded an historic 21-14 victory against France in front of a passionate crowd in Paris.
The victory was Fiji’s first in 60 years; the performance will go down as one of Fiji’s most memorable victories of this decade.
The sweet victory was short lived with France giving Fiji a 34-17 rugby lesson in a warm-up match for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Josua Tuisova is one of the few remaining players from the 2018 victorious team and has since become a renowned name in the French Top 14 competition.
The barnstorming centre knows first hand how passionate the French are for rugby, having lived in France for the last couple of years.
The Ba native is looking forward to facing a few Top 14 teammates and close friends this weekend, and he anticipates a tough and physical encounter from his French counterparts.
“Playing France is not that easy we think it’s probably going to be a tough game this Saturday,” said Tuisova
“And I know I’ve been in France for a few years now and I know some of the players playing for France and yes looking forward to playing against them in the weekend.”
France is renowned for their physically upfront.
Flying Fijians number 8 Viliame Mata says the Fijian forwards will need to step-up this weekend if they are to disrupt the French momentum.
“If you watch the Top 14, they mostly play upfront so it’s going to be a physical battle upfront with the forwards,. We need to match their physicality and be ready for anything,” Mata said.
Fiji is currently ranked number nine in the world.
If Fiji beats France by 15 or more points it could possibly raise Fiji’s ranking.
The flying Fijians will take on France this Sunday, November 6 at Bordeaux at 8.10am (Fiji Time).
