Rugby World Cup: France beat Fiji 44-0 to reach quarter-finals

Emeline GrosGetty Images

Emeline Gros made more metres than any other forward in the match, racking up 47m with ball in hand

By Mike Henson
BBC Sport

Rugby World Cup: France v Fiji

France (20) 44

Tries: Menager, Llorens, Filopon (2), Gros, Boulard, Domain Cons: Tremouliere (3) Pens: Tremouliere

Fiji (0)

France secured their place in the quarter-finals with an assured victory that ended Fiji's debut World Cup campaign.

Wing Marine Menager crossed early on after a powerful driven lineout sucked in the Fiji defence, and centre Maelle Filopon scored two tries as France accelerated away in Whangarei.

They seem set to be the fourth seeds in the last eight, putting them on course for a potential semi-final with hosts New Zealand.

England, who beat France last weekend, are overwhelming favourites to overcome South Africa on Sunday and complete a clean sweep of Pool C.

Wales - beaten by Australia in Pool A earlier on Saturday - will make the last eight providing South Africa do not win.

Fiji, who beat Great Britain to Olympic sevens bronze in Tokyo last year, showed plenty of enterprise against France but could not find the consistency and cohesion to threaten an upset.

They will, however, come away from New Zealand with valuable experience and a maiden World Cup win.

Fiji, the lowest-ranked side to qualify for the tournament, beat South Africa via Karalaini Naisewa's last-minute try last weekend.

After an impressive performance in a narrow defeat by tournament favourites England last weekend, France underlined their credentials as title contenders against Fiji at the Northland Events Centre.

With first-choice scrum-half Laure Sansus ruled out of their campaign with a knee injury, Pauline Bourdon, her partner and Toulouse team-mate, was a lively presence at nine.

Bourdon's sharp blind-side break set up Melisande Llorens for France's second try before Filopon's scores, either side of the interval, ensured a bonus point.

Emeline Gros and Emilie Boulard added tries in the final 20 minutes before replacement front row Celia Domain rumbled over for France's seventh in the final play of the game.

France: Boulard; Llorens, Filopon, Drouin, Menager; Tredmouliere Bourdon; Lindelauf, Touye, Khalfaoui, Ferer, N'Diaye, Hermet (c), Annery, Gros.

Replacements: Brosseau, Domain, Bernadou, Feleu, Escudero, Chambon, Queyroi, Jacquet.

Fiji: Radiniyavuni; Laqeretabua, Matanatabu, Donu, Naikore; Lomani, Roqica; Verebalavu, Matarugu, Rasolea, Serevi (c), Ofakimalino, Naisewa, Daveua, Leweniqila.

Replacements: Tawake, Vasuturaga, Namositava, Waisega, Adivitaloga, Cavuru, Nagasau, Wilson.

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