Tevita Ikanivere calls for balance as Flying Fijians regroup after heavy loss to Les Bleus

The Flying Fijians have been left with a clear lesson from their heavy defeat to France and know when to play their attacking game and when to take the pressure off.

Fiji beaten 54-17 in Lyon after France turned a string of mistakes and a costly yellow card into points.

Fijian captain Tevita Ikanivere is calling for a better balance between the side’s natural flair and a more controlled approach.

“I think we’re looking for a balance between both, knowing where to do what… we talked about exiting our zone, but I think we played a bit too much, we made mistakes and France capitalised on that," he told a post-match interview.

It was a frustrating night for Fiji, who trailed 26-3 at halftime and struggled to build enough pressure to trouble a French side that punished almost every opening.

The visitors did find their two tries after the break and refused to stop fighting. But France crossed eight times in a result that showed just how little room for error there is against top opposition.

The Flying Fijians face France in Lyon in a tough Nations Championship battle. Photo/Faceebook/Fiji Rugby

Fiji's defence was also under pressure throughout, with the side recording a tackle success rate of just 69 per cent.

Ikanivere says the problems started early. “I think we started well, our discipline let us down, we gave France an early start. We talked about not giving them an early start… we got a yellow card then we were on the back foot.

“We go back to the drawing board, see what mistakes we made and get better for next week.”

Head coach Jake White was also disappointed that Fiji could not stay in the fight for longer.

“I’m a bit disappointed, and I think because I expected us to be a little more in the fight for longer.

“Where we started I thought we looked as though we were going to be in the fight, but we just made a couple of mistakes, and I know it’s always like that, the same cliche, but you make mistakes against France they punish you.”

Ikanivere reflected on Fiji’s solid start, despite limited opportunities to counter and build momentum in attack.

“I think we started well, our discipline let us down, we gave France an early start. We talked about not giving them an early start… we got a yellow card then we were on the back foot.

“We go back to the drawing board, see what mistakes we made and get better for next week.”

France’s victory returned them to the top of the Northern Hemisphere leaderboard. Photo/INPHO/Photosport.

There was also a late change to the Fijian starting line-up, with fly-half Isikeli Rabitu, who was initially named to start, withdrawn and replaced by Vilimoni Botitu.

Among Fiji's standout performers were Salawa, who impressed with his defensive work, and No. 8 Nathan Hughes, who carried strongly and broke seven tackles.

There were still positives for Fiji to take from the defeat.

Kitione Salawa stood out with his defensive work, while No. 8 Nathan Hughes carried strongly and broke seven tackles.

There was also a late change before kick-off, with Isikeli Rabitu withdrawn from the starting side and Vilimoni Botitu coming in at fly-half.

But the focus now shifts quickly to Ireland, with Fiji facing another major test at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium next Sunday.

The Ireland match gives the Flying Fijians a chance to respond, but Ikanivere’s message from Lyon is clear: the attacking instinct that makes Fiji dangerous has to be matched by the discipline and control needed to stay in the contest.

Fiji will now turn their attention to Ireland, with the two sides set to meet on Sunday 15 November at Aviva Stadium. Against France, the mistakes proved costly. Against Ireland, Fiji will need to show they have learned from Les Lebleuthem.

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