Flying Fijians face France as new tackle laws take centre stage

The Flying Fijians face France on Sunday (NZ time) with their first Nations Championship win still to find and a new set of tackle laws adding another layer to the contest.

The match in Lyon comes just days after World Rugby introduced tougher rules around ‘hip drop’ and ‘knee drop’ tackles.

Officials are now able to punish players for dangerous contact with the lower limbs of a ball carrier.

The changes are aimed at reducing serious injuries and will be closely watched during the November internationals.

A hip drop is where a tackler swings or drops their bodyweight onto the legs of a ball carrier from behind to bring them to the ground.

The change follows the serious injury suffered by New Zealand winger Leroy Carter against Australia in Auckland last month.

All Blacks winger Leroy Carter suffered a high-ankle injury after a hip drop tackle against Australia last month. Photo/Photosport/David Rowland

Carter injured his ankle while scoring a try under a hip drop tackle from Rob Valetini. Carter later required surgery for a high-ankle injury, ruling him out of the All Blacks' northern hemisphere campaign.

Under the new law and its application guideline, officials will look at whether a tackler swings around or through the ball carrier before dropping their bodyweight onto the player's lower limbs.

World Rugby has also reinforced its approach to ‘knee drop’ tackles where a defender drops onto one knee before making contact.

World Rugby has introduced tougher sanctions for hip drop tackles as part of a renewed focus on player safety. Photo/Photosport/David Rowland

Officials say the position can put both players at risk with the tackler's head potentially placed at knee height and the ball carrier at risk of being flipped during the tackle.

The Flying Fijians will need to manage that discipline while also finding a way past a strong French side.

Fijian star Jiuta Wainiqolo says the squad knows the size of the challenge waiting for them in Lyon but believes the work they have put in has them ready.

"We’re really looking forward, we’re preparing for that French flair game. We know it will not be easy but the boys have been working very hard and we cant wait to step on the field," he told media.

France sit at the top of the Northern Hemisphere standings with 12 points from three matches, including a 42-15 win over Japan last weekend.

Fiji are still searching for their first win after three defeats.

But the Flying Fijians have shown an attacking threat throughout the tournament, recording 50 offloads after three rounds - the most of any team in the Nations Championship.

They will be led by captain Tevita Ikanivere against France.

The contrast between the two sides is clear in the numbers. France have made 559 tackles through three rounds while Fiji have made 413, the lowest total among the 12 teams.

For Fiji, new coach Jake White says the challenge will be turning their attacking threat into points while keeping their discipline against a French side that has made a strong start to the tournament.

Former All Blacks captain Jeff Wilson believes the Nations Championship has given these November Tests added meaning.

“This is the beauty of this competition. All of a sudden, these Test matches have another purpose, they’re not just one-off games where you’re looking for a one-off result, it becomes part of a bigger picture,” Wilson told Sport Nation.

Former All Blacks star Jeff Wilson says the Nations Championship has added greater meaning to the November Tests. Photo/Photosport/Jeremy Ward

The former New Zealand fullback says the format is also encouraging teams to chase bigger wins and bonus points.

“I think everything we’d like to see in our game is encouraged by the nature of this competition. It’s go out there and play, and if you get a bonus-point you’re chasing that number one spot.”

The new tackle laws are not the only area officials will be watching.

World Rugby is also putting greater focus on the scrum, including the hooker's ‘brake foot’ during the pre-engagement phases and the position of loosehead props before the scrum sets.

The aim is to improve stability and reduce the risk of dangerous contact before the packs engage.

There is also a revised approach to dangerous cleanouts at the breakdown. Head contact in these situations can now result in a 20-minute red card.

Flying Fijians head coach Jake White prepares his side for a tough Nations Championship clash against France in Lyon on Sunday (NZ time). Photo/Facebook/Fiji Rugby

That means the team can return to 15 players after 20 minutes, but the player sent off cannot return to the field.

Permanent red cards remain reserved for the most serious acts of foul play.

For Fiji, however, the immediate focus is France and the chance to put their first win on the board.

That match kicks off at Parc Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday 8 November at 9.10am NZT.

TEAMS

Fiji: 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Tevita Ikanivere (C), 3. Luke Tagi, 4. Mesake Vocevoce, 5. Isoa Nasilasila, 6. Pita-Gus Sowakula, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Nathan Hughes, 9. Simione Kuruvoli, 10. Isikeli Rabitu, 11. Jiuta Wainiqolo, 12. Vinaya Habosi, 13. Iosefo Masi, 14. Selestino Ravutaumada, 15. Salesi Rayasi. Reserves: 16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Inoke Ravuiwasa, 19. Peceli Yato, 20. Elia Canakaivata, 21. Frank Lomani, 22. Ben Volavola, 23. Sireli Maqala.

France: 15 Théo Attissogbe, 14 Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, 13 Kalvin Gourgues, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 François Cros, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Cameron Woki, 5 Mickaël Guillard, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Sipili Falatea, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros. Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Jefferson Poirot, 18 Régis Montagne, 19 Charles Ollivon, 20 Tom Staniforth, 21 Esteban Capilla, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Emilien Gailleton.

Match officials: Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU). Assistant Referees: Damián Schneider (UAR) and Katsuki Furuse (JRFU). TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU). FPRO: Leo Colgan (IRFU).

Broadcasters: TF1 (France), ITV / ITVX (United Kingdom), Virgin Media Television (Republic of Ireland), Sky Italia (Italy), SuperSport (South Africa / Africa), Nine Network / Stan Sport (Australia), Sky Sport (New Zealand), FloSports (USA), Wowow (Japan)