John McKee names settled side to face France

November 22, 2018
1996
Ultimate Rugby

Flying Fijians Head Coach John McKee believes his team are more than capable of taking victory in this Sunday’s third and final test of the November International Series.

McKee has opted for stability in his line up with only slight adjustments to the team that played Scotland a fortnight ago and he knows his side will face a tough encounter against the French, who they haven’t played since 2014.

“With many players performing well last week against Uruguay, there were some hard questions posed around selection this week, and the team to run on the field is the team we believe will beat France” he said.

“They will go into the last game of the November Test series with some confidence from their win against Argentina. We know that once again we must be on top of our game in our team defence and to counter their maul.”

Fiji were uncompromising against Uruguay in England last Sunday morning and the Head Coach is looking for his side to bring that intensity again to the contest at Stade de France.

“The team has trained well this week and are very much looking forward to the contest at Stade de France in Paris. Our players are very aware of the strengths & weakness of the French players as they play against them in the France Top 14 & European Cup matches.”

“Against Uruguay we kept our standards up right through the game, not only in attack but worked hard in defence and having another week of preparation and game behind us holds us in good stead for the final test in the series this weekend.”

With such a short window in the series to establish combinations, blood talent and deliver results the Flying Fijians need to learn from mistakes and step up if they wish to be a serious contender against the Tier 1 nations.

“Discipline and high work rate will be vitally important this week. Penalties conceded can give the opposition opportunity to put us under pressure and we must be mentally ready for the intensity levels of a Tier 1 Test match.”

Fiji Team to Face France