"The team that will be on the field is the one that we think will beat France": Fiji are led 10-0 in their confrontations with the Blues, but their New Zealand coach John McKee wants to believe that the XV announced Thursday for Saturday's test at the Stade de France can create a surprise.
McKee has chosen to return largely to his typical team, yet sharply beaten on 10 November by Scotland, to the detriment of the XV that swept Uruguay last Saturday 68-7.
"We had to decide tough questions to make the selection this week," said the coach who has chosen to retain the Toulon winger Josua Tuisova back behind Metui Talebula, the only change from the XV that has started against Scotland.
"Our players are fully aware of the strengths and weaknesses of France's players as they face them in the Top 14 and in the European Cup , " said McKee.
The starting XV of Fiji to face France on Saturday: Talebula - Tuisova, Radradra, Vatubua, Goneva - (o) Volavola, (m) Lomani - Yato, Mata, Waqaniburotu (cap) - Nakarawa, Cavubati - Saulo, Matavesi,
Replacements: Dolokoto, Mawi, Tawake, Tuisue, Kunatani, Seniloli, Veitokani, Sau
+ XV of France. Changes to predict?