Fiji player ratings vs France | Nations Championship 2026

Fiji suffered a hefty loss in Lyon to conclude a big night in the Nations Championship, managing to score just two tries while conceding eight.

The Fijian flair was seldom seen in Jake White’s second Test in charge, and the visitors tackled at just 69 per cent. Fiji suffered from a lack of game-driving nous after losing starting flyhalf Isikeli Rabitu before kick-off, struggled to build attacking momentum and kicked more as a result.

It wasn’t until Fiji were down 40-3 that they managed to get over the line through Vinaya Habosi in the 66th minute, and the teams proceeded to trade blows from there.

Here’s how they rated in the 54-17 defeat.

1. Eroni Mawi – 5
The Saracens man was penalised early at scrum time but stayed out of trouble thereafter. The Fijian scrum provided a fine platform for most of the match but wasn’t without its shaky moments. Mawi’s contributions on defence saw him complete seven of nine tackle attempts.

2. Tevita Ikanivere – 7.5
The captain struggled to get his foot to the ball in the scrum and was penalised twice early for not hooking it back, costing his side possession. The Fijian lineout was imperfect, but otherwise Ikanivere was a strong performer for his side, chewing through a mountain of work defensively and even re-entering the Test as a loose forward late in the piece when Nathan Hughes needed to leave for an HIA.

3. Luke Tagi – 5.5
The big tighthead made his presence felt with some monstrous collisions and held up his side of the scrum. There were a couple of decent carries with his seven touches, but there were also four missed tackles.

4. Mesake Vocevoce – 4
One of many quiet performers in Lyon, the lock managed to go 80 minutes while making just one carry. His defence was a little better, but the youngster largely fell short of making a meaningful impact against France.

5. Isoa Nasilasila – 6
A yellow card in the 22nd minute was certainly a lowlight for Nasilasila, but the rest of his performance was quite strong. He was disruptive under the high ball and a physical force in contact. The Fijian lineout wasn’t without its faults, however.

Possession

6%

16%

16%

14%

4%

15%

21%

6%

68%

Possession Last 10 min

32%

53%

Possession

47%

6. Pita-Gus Sowakula – 5
A quiet night for the former All Black, aside from a pair of dominant tackles. The 32-year-old lent his shoulder to some breakdowns well but was benched by the 48th minute. His coach might look to inject more youth and Fijian dynamism into the loose trio next week against Ireland.

7. Kitione Salawa – 8.5
A standout for Fiji. Salawa’s defence was outstanding, tracking across to cut down Louis Bielle-Biarrey, standing strong in the face of Paul Boudehent, and winning two breakdown steals against the run of play. The openside flanker had few opportunities with the ball in hand but made one nifty half-break.

8. Nathan Hughes – 7
The 35-year-old’s Fiji debut can be considered a mild success, despite his side failing to fire in the Test. The big No.8 was just that: big, carrying hard and breaking seven tackles in the process. Hughes isn’t the prototypical, dynamic Fijian No.8 at this age, but he still fares well in contact and brings composure to a chaotic Fijian game.

9. Simione Kuruvoli – 6
An awkwardly placed early box kick helped put France under pressure, and Kuruvoli was able to facilitate the faster moments of the Fijian attack well. But the platform just wasn’t there for the Fijian attack for most of this Test, and Kuruvoli was left to box-kick on terms he didn’t want.

10. Vilimoni Botitu – 3
Botitu was a late inclusion in the team in place of Isikeli Rabitu, and looked poorly prepared in a position he is largely unfamiliar with. The No.10 made aimless kicks, threw a pair of forward passes and fumbled the ball when attempting a difficult catch in his own 22 that handed France their fourth try. Replaced in the 44th minute.

11. Jiuta Wainiqolo – 7
The Lyon star was given no opportunity to use his X-factor in this one, but still showed his class on the defensive end. The winger kept himself busy throughout the evening, making the second-most tackles of any Fijian on the park and used his strength to overwhelm a breakdown in the 49th minute. Wainiqolo also got his hands in the way to disrupt a couple of French attacks.

12. Vinaya Habosi – 6.5
New Fiji head coach Jake White’s decision to throw Habosi into the No.12 jersey was one of three selection surprises, alongside at No.10 and No.8, but this one was rewarded with a try in the 66th minute and some hard-won carry metres. The 26-year-old has played the bulk of his career on the wing but brought plenty of physicality to his maiden Test start at 12. Outside of that, however, Habosi was penalised twice and was guilty of an additional turnover, not quite delivering the steady-handed performance Fiji needed in the midfield with an inexperienced flyhalf inside him.

13. Iosefo Masi – 6.5
The centre had some classy moments but was simply bypassed by the French playmakers when he shot out of the line defensively. The looping passes gave him time to catch up more often than not, but he did miss three tackles. His few touches limited his impact on attack, but he contributed to some glimpses of Fijian flair.

14. Selestino Ravutaumada – 7.5
The winger’s defence was felt by France early, with his pressure influencing two handling errors. He would go on to fall off four attempts, however. Ravutaumada was involved in some of Fiji’s best moments in attack, and finished a great try.

15. Salesi Rayasi – 6.5
Rayasi’s night ended early after what looked to be a hand injury. The star fullback was unable to contribute much to the Test before that, although he made some powerful clearing kicks.

Reserves – 6
Fiji desperately needed bench impact but didn’t get it in Lyon. Ben Volavola’s experience at 10 could have provided more direction from the start of the Test, but his influence was limited after coming on. Sireli Maqala’s decision to challenge two French defenders in his own 22 immediately cost his side another seven points. The loose forwards provided some punch, but the result was well out of reach by then.