France Survives Fiji's Resurgence with Double Header from Nicolas Depoortère to Keep Autumn Nations Series Hopes Alive.
The French rugby team breathed a sigh of relief after holding off a spirited Fiji side, coming back from a 21-0 deficit to secure a hard-fought 34-21 victory in the Autumn Nations Series. The match at Bordeaux saw 22-year-old Nicolas Depoortère put on a show, scoring not one but two tries that proved decisive in France's quest for survival.
The game got off to a blistering start with France dominating the early exchanges. Centre Julien Marchand and lock Charles Ollivon extended their team's lead, with Thomas Ramos converting all three tries. However, Fiji soon staged a remarkable comeback, as Kalaveti Ravouvou, Selestino Ravutaumada, and Wainiqolo scored crucial tries alongside Simione Kuruvoli's conversions, bringing the visitors level at half-time.
Despite losing key players to injury, France regained control after the break with eight phases ending in leftwing Wainiqolo carrying Nicolas Depoortère over for a try. However, Fiji refused to give up, and after two Thomas Ramos penalties, Simione Kuruvoli converted one of his own tries to level the score once again.
The match hung precariously in the balance until France's Nicolas Depoortère sealed the victory with a second try nine minutes from time, leaving Fiji just short of a remarkable comeback. With this win, Les Bleus have staved off the prospect of their fifth consecutive Test loss and will look to build momentum heading into next week's match against Australia.
France coach Fabien Galthié was thrilled with his team's resilience in the face of adversity, while acknowledging that Fiji posed a significant challenge. He praised the performances of his team, saying: "What's important is that we win." The victory has given France some much-needed momentum as they look to salvage their Autumn Nations Series campaign.
The French rugby team breathed a sigh of relief after holding off a spirited Fiji side, coming back from a 21-0 deficit to secure a hard-fought 34-21 victory in the Autumn Nations Series. The match at Bordeaux saw 22-year-old Nicolas Depoortère put on a show, scoring not one but two tries that proved decisive in France's quest for survival.
The game got off to a blistering start with France dominating the early exchanges. Centre Julien Marchand and lock Charles Ollivon extended their team's lead, with Thomas Ramos converting all three tries. However, Fiji soon staged a remarkable comeback, as Kalaveti Ravouvou, Selestino Ravutaumada, and Wainiqolo scored crucial tries alongside Simione Kuruvoli's conversions, bringing the visitors level at half-time.
Despite losing key players to injury, France regained control after the break with eight phases ending in leftwing Wainiqolo carrying Nicolas Depoortère over for a try. However, Fiji refused to give up, and after two Thomas Ramos penalties, Simione Kuruvoli converted one of his own tries to level the score once again.
The match hung precariously in the balance until France's Nicolas Depoortère sealed the victory with a second try nine minutes from time, leaving Fiji just short of a remarkable comeback. With this win, Les Bleus have staved off the prospect of their fifth consecutive Test loss and will look to build momentum heading into next week's match against Australia.
France coach Fabien Galthié was thrilled with his team's resilience in the face of adversity, while acknowledging that Fiji posed a significant challenge. He praised the performances of his team, saying: "What's important is that we win." The victory has given France some much-needed momentum as they look to salvage their Autumn Nations Series campaign.
but Nico Depoortère came through like a superstar, scoring 2 tries and saving the team's bacon 
! I mean, 21-0 down is crazy, but Les Bleus showed some serious grit & determination to come back & win 34-21. Fiji was on fire early on, but France adapted & regained control after half-time 
. Now they've got a chance to regroup & take on Australia next week, so fingers crossed they can keep this momentum going 
OMG what a game!!! Fiji was so close to pulling off an epic comeback but Nicolas Depoortère's 2 tries in the last 9 minutes sealed it for France 
. And that Fiji side was so fierce! 
Selestino Ravutaumada is a star 
france needed this win so badly and galthié's team showed great resilience, it was like they were fed up with losing streaks 
. fiji gave them a run for their money tho, those try-scoring sprees will be remembered 
I mean, 21-0 down is crazy! 
How does a team come back from that? But you know what's even crazier? Nicolas Depoortère's two tries! 
The kid's got skills for days, right? 
. France's coach Fabien Galthié should be so proud of his team for showing such resilience and determination in the face of adversity! 
so france just came back from 21-0 down and won 34-21 against fiji in the autumn nations series 
they were like the turning point of the whole game. 
france's coach fabien galthié said it all - "what's important is that we win" 
true enough! 
then in the second half:
france's win has given them some much-needed momentum heading into their next match against australia 
let's see if they can keep it up! 
. And France's coach is right, what matters most is that they win 
.
? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure - this Autumn Nations Series just got A whole lot more interesting 
it's defo a whole new level of sports experience! btw, nicolas depoortère is like, the coolest 
. And what's with the Fiji team? They came back from 21-0 down, which is crazy but also kinda suspicious... did they really win that game or was it a fluke? 
. I need more convincing before I start believing in this rugby stuff... 