ANOTHER bitter pill was swallowed by the FIJI Water Flying Fijians in Bordeaux, France, when it went down 21-34 to the home team in their second Autumn Nations Test yesterday.
Their second Test loss after an 18-38 defeat to England last Sunday in Twickenham, the result did not sit well with skipper Tevita Ikanivere, whose sentiments in a post-match interview reflected it.
“We are gutted. We thought we had them,” Ikanivere said.
Areas of concern he pointed out were the decisions made on the field and their level of discipline.
“Some decision making and discipline let us down, especially letting a side like France go 21-nil up.” Fiji closely followed the French in yesterday’s duel at the Stade Atlantique, seen in the way they accounted for 56 per cent of possession, making 141 carries to France’s 84, charging forward with a recorded distance of 927m and committed 165 tackles into the opposition.
Despite the standout statistics, it was just not enough.
As grim as the results have been for the Mick Byrne-coached side, the skipper’s sights remain set on the bigger picture ahead.
“We have the courage. We have the firepower to take on any team in the world,” he remarked.
Part of refining the firepower in which Fijian flair has sparked dynamism on the field and conversations off of it, according to him, is ensuring the finer pieces of the puzzle are set well in place for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
“It comes down to the little moments and disciplines, and I think we can do it come 2027,” he added.
The Flying Fijians will meet Spain in their final November Test this Sunday at 4.10am and Ikanivere mentioned the team was adamant on ending their tour of Europe on a high note.
