The Fiji Water Flying Fijians are gearing up for a highly anticipated clash against France in the Autumn Nations Series this weekend. Assistant coach Aaron Mauger has expressed that the team is channeling their recent disappointment from a loss to England into a renewed determination to perform better. He noted that the atmosphere within the camp has shifted from frustration to focusing on key strategies as they prepare to face a physically demanding French side known for its speed and effective kicking game.
Reflecting on the match against England, which ended 38-18 in favor of the opposition, Mauger acknowledged the sting of the defeat but highlighted the positive indicators from their performance. He stated, “Everyone was naturally disappointed with the outcome, but the context here is there are lots of good things happening in our game. We’re going toe-to-toe with a top-four team in the world, and barring a few moments of execution, we could have had a different result.” Mauger emphasized the need for the team to learn from missed opportunities and to work on their execution in critical moments.
The Flying Fijians have adopted a proactive approach in their review sessions, showing resilience despite the challenges posed by travel schedules. Mauger identified similarities between Fiji’s match against England and France’s recent defeat to South Africa, noting that both teams have experienced competitive outings where they let key moments slip away.
As the Flying Fijians prepare to meet France this Sunday at 8:10 AM in Bordeaux, they look forward to what promises to be another test of their resilience and skill. With the match threatened by previous results, fans remain hopeful for a solid performance that could showcase how far the team has come and how well they can bounce back from setbacks. The match will also be accessible for viewers with delayed coverage airing on FBC Sports at 8 PM on Monday.
This upcoming encounter represents not just a challenge, but a vital opportunity for the Flying Fijians to solidify their development and prove their capabilities on the international stage, inspiring pride and hope among their supporters.