the Fijians, Pacific players who shake up the established order

2023-09-30 07:54:01

Opposed to Georgia on Saturday September 30 (at 5:45 p.m., live on M6) in Group C, Fiji have the opportunity to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup.

An enhanced victory (by scoring at least four tries) would ensure the Fijians continue in the competition.

► An old rugby tradition

Rugby was established in the Pacific archipelago at the end of the 19th century by Europeans. The Fiji national team played its first match in 1924, against Samoa, and its first tour of Europe took it through France in 1964.

Nicknamed the “Flying Fijians”, the island players have participated in nine editions of the World Cup, missing only the 1995 World Cup. Their best result so far is to have reached twice to the quarter-finals, in 1987 and 2007.

► The masters of rugby at VII

Renowned for their sense of attack and their skill with the ball in hand, Fijian players have found a perfect field of expression to shine with rugby sevens. This derivative of the XV, with eight players less, indeed gives pride of place to the offensive.

Triple world champions of the discipline (in 1997, 2005 and 2022), Fiji became the first Olympic champions of rugby sevens when the specialty was introduced to the Olympic program in Rio in 2016. They retained their title in 2021 in Tokyo.

The same year, the Fijians reached the third step of the Olympic podium. These two gold medals and this bronze medal are the only ones won to date at the Olympic Games by Fiji, in all sports.

► Special links with France

Due to its economic power, the French championship attracts players from all over the world, particularly Fijians. Ten of the 33 selected for this World Cup will play in the Top 14 this season, like captain Waisea Nayacalevu in Toulon. Coach Simon Raiwalui is himself a former second row of Racing 92.

Ready to take on Georgia ???? #RWC2023 | #FIJvGEO | @fijirugbypic.twitter.com/RXw0TQKsxV

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 28, 2023

The Clermont-Auvergne club also finances a training center in Fiji, the Nadrago academy. Arriving in France very young, three rugby players of Fijian origin have even worn the French team jersey during previous World Cups: Noa Nakaitaci in 2015, Alivereti Raka and Virimi Vakatawa in 2019.

► Professionalism that is structured

Fiji has also seen many talents seek their fortune in Australia and New Zealand. To curb this expatriation, a professional team was created in 2017 in the archipelago: the Fijian Drua participate in Super Rugby, a competition with the New Zealanders and the Australians.

Seventeen of the 33 Fijians selected for this World Cup are among them. While Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuk, is a former rugby player, the country has gained a head start over its less wealthy and less populated neighbors Tonga and Samoa.

► The only surprise of this tournament

Representing a small country of 935,000 inhabitants, the Fiji team beat England for the first time this summer, in a preparation match. In the past, it has also inflicted defeats on France (in 2018) and Wales (in 2007).

But its most resounding success remains its 22-15 victory against Australia in this 2023 World Cup, on September 17. This is the only surprise to date of the tournament, which is also marked by the overwhelming domination of the major nations in the discipline.