Jaminet powers France to comfortable win over Fiji
France have seen off Fiji by 34-17 at Stade de la Beaujoire in their second-to-last Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture.
The hosts scored three tries to two but the boot of Melvyn Jaminet powered France to victory, slotting seven of eight for a personal haul of 19.
Jaminet kicked three penalty goals to build a 9-0 lead over the Fijians in the first 10 minutes.
Fiji replied through the boot of Caleb Muntz but French hooker Peato Mauvaka opened the try scoring after right wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey broke away down the right side with searing pace. Jaminet's conversion took France out to 16-3.
Fiji responded with a try to their own hooker Tevita Ikanivere but prop Uini Atonio crashed over before half-time to take a comfortable 21-10 lead.
Another Jaminet penalty kept the home side comfortably ahead, before captain Semi Radradra scored next to the posts stretching out to find the line.
Radradra's effort kept Fiji in the game at 24-17 but reserve flanker Sekou Macalou killed off the contest with a well-read intercept.
He picked off halfback Frank Lomani from the lineout and sprinted away to score.
France named their World Cup squad on Monday before a final hitout against the winless Wallabies next weekend.
Fiji have a final warm-up clash against England before opening their campaign against Wales.
France 34 (Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio, Sekou Macalou tries; Melvyn Jaminet 2 cons, 5 pens)
Fiji 17 (Tevita Ikanivere, Semi Radradra tries; Caleb Muntz 2 con, pen)
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All of these media pundits always miss the obvious whenever they analyse what is ailing or assisting the game. Rugby always has contentious points for debate when picking apart individual games and finding fault with itself. All this focus and scrutiny on “speeding up the game”, “high ball in play” etc is all contextual to the fan. As a tv viewer, if you’re absorbed into a game, regardless if your team is playing or not, more ball in play time and action are all byproducts of the contest. A good contest subliminally affects your memory in selectively remembering all the good aspects. A poor contest and your brain has switched off because its a blowout and the result is never in doubt or it’s a real chore to watch and remain engaged throughout. The URC, Top 14 and English premiership are all competitions that feel like there’s real jeopardy each week. The dominance of Super rugby by NZ teams was unhealthy from a sustainable interest perspective. You can’t fault those teams or the players, but the lack of competitions won by SA and Australian teams long term was always going to test the faith and patience of die-hard and casual fans from those regions. SANZAR took their eye off the fans and fans voted with their feet and subscriptions. They were so concerned about expanding their product they forgot the golden rule about broadcasting live sport. Viewers tune in more when there’s an atmosphere and a true contest. You need to fill stadiums to create one, host unions need to do more to service ticket buyers, and this year proves the other, there’s more interest in Super rugby this year only because more games are competitive with less foregone conclusions. All these micro statistics bandied about, only interest the bean counters and trainspotters.
Go to commentsIt’s a good, timely wake up call for NZ Rugby (seem to be a few of them lately!) - sort out the bureaucratic nonsense at board level. We can’t expect to stay the number one option without keeping fans/players engaged. We’ve obviously been bleeding players to league for years but can’t let the floodgates open (although I think this headline is hyperbolic as it’s a result of a recent Warriors pathways system where they are tracking things more closely) Understand the need to focus boys on rugby if they’re at a proud rugby school too, don’t think it’s harsh at all re Barakat in Hamilton. Reward the committed players with squad positions. An elite 1st XV system in NZ has done more for league than they even realise, think it’s good to protect our game further.
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