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 TEIVOVO.COM – TEAM FIJI
18 November, 2001
Fiji bounce back to beat French Barbarians
Just one week after the 66-10 hiding from Italy, Fiji rebounded to defeat the French Barbarians 17-15 on Sunday, restoring some confidence into the squad before this weekend’s Test with France.
A try by French flanker Christophe Milhères in the 22nd minute put the hosts ahead, but Fiji skipper Waisale Serevi, playing at fullback, replied with a try of his own 10 minutes later to send the teams into the break level at 10-10 with one conversion and penalty goal apiece as well.
Some 6,000 spectators turned out for the match on a chilly afternoon in Toulon, and probably expected a more free-flowing game. But Fiji dominated the possession and worked hard to hang onto it avoiding the risks one might expect from a Barbarians match.
Emori Tuisese, having a grand game at inside centre, dotted down Fiji’s second try early in the second spell. Nicky Little converted and Fiji led 17-10.
With 20 minutes remaining, Barbarians replacement prop Sylvain Marconnet ploughed over for a try but David Skrela missed the conversion attempt that would have drawn his team level.
Yann Delaigue had a chance to snatch victory for the French in stoppage time with a penalty right in front of the posts, but he hooked his attempt wide to the whistles of the disapproving French crown.
Mesake Davu put on another fine performance at No.8 for Fiji following his promising debut last week. But Fiji must now lift themselves once more to face France, who have just beaten South Africa and Australia in consecutive weeks.
French Barbarians 15 Fiji 17
Half-time: 10-10
Referee: M. McHugh (Ireland)
Crowd: 6,000
French Barbarians: 15 Brusque, 14 Bernat-Salles, 13 Comba, 12 Isaac (Delmotte, 68), 11 Poulain, 10 Skrela (Delaigue, 62), 9 Fillol (Hueber, 62), 8 Pool-Jones, 7 Murphy, 6 Milhères, 5 James (Franchini, 74), 4 Roumat – captain (Sergueev, 52), 3 Tournaire, 2 Curnier (Konieck, 62), 1 Collazo (Marconnet, 52)
Tries: Milhères, Marconnet; Conversion: Skrela; Penalty goal: Skrela.
Fiji: 15 Waisale Serevi (captain), 14 Fero Lasagavibau, 13 Epeli Ruivadra (Satala, 62), 12 Emori Tuisese, 11 Maika Wainibutu (Vunibaka, 75), 10 Nicky Little, 9 Asaeli Naiteqe (Sami Rabaka, 48), 8 Mesake Davu, 7 Jope Tuikabe, 6 Sisa Koyamaibole (Ilai Derenalagi, 73), 5 Emori Katalau, 4 Isoa Domolailai, 3 Bill Cavubati (Richard Nyholt), 2 Paula Biu, 1 Henry Qiodravu (Apisai Nagi, 66).
Tries: Serevi, Tuisese; Conversions: Little (2); Penalty goal: Little.
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