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China put 40 on Fiji as Tokyo medallists start Paris Games with two losses

Meiling Yan #2 of Team People's Republic of China celebrates scoring her team's third try during the Women’s Pool A match between Team Fiji and Team People’s Republic of China on day two of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 28, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Fiji appears likely to miss out on the women’s quarter-finals at the Paris Olympic Games after losing two games on the opening day at Stade de France, which included a shocking 40-12 defeat to newly promoted SVNS Series side China.

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The Fijians started their quest for another Olympic medal with a heartbreakingly narrow 17-14 loss to Canada before suffering a devastating defeat later on Sunday. China bounced back from a loss of their own with a masterful display at the Saint-Denis venue.

With a cheer from the crowd, the match got underway. Many would’ve considered Fiji to be overwhelming favourites for this clash but it was the Chinese who got the party started with Wang Wanyu running through a gap to score after just 40 seconds.

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China’s No. 6 had restarted play about 10 metres out from the try line with a penalty tap and quickly spotted a gap. Two Fijian defenders moved in opposite directions, almost inviting the try-scorer to run at them – which Wang did, and she was rewarded.

 

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The scoreboard read 5-nil in China’s favour, but that didn’t last long. Fiji hit back almost immediately through Ana Maria who fended off a tackle attempt from Gu Yaoyao to score, with the conversion giving the favourites the lead.

With 12 minutes still to play, many would’ve expected Fiji to run away with it. But China showed on the Challenger Series that they’re a class outfit that boasts plenty of talent and potential, and they proved that to the world once again in this match.

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Yang Feifei picked the ball up at a scrum and immediately ran for the blindside. It was too easy really with not a single Fijian defender ready to cover that 15-metre channel in anticipation of that possible play.

But China weren’t done.

Before the end of the half, co-captain Chen Keyi was dragged down a metre or so from the try line. Yan Meiling dove over from the breakdown to add to China’s growing lead, with the conversion giving the underdogs a 19-7 advantage at the half.

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There was a sense of déjà vu about what happened next.

China opened the scoring inside the opening minute of that half – just as they had in the first term – with Chen Keyi making a meaningful burst down the right touchline to score. But Fiji hit back right after with a crucial score of their own.

Fiji wouldn’t score any more points in this match, with the Tokyo Games bronze medallists kept to just 12. As for China, they had some more tries in them with Liu Xiaoqian and Dou Xinrong adding one each to complete the famous win.

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“That is some upset,” commentator Rikki Swannell exclaimed on the broadcast.

Fiji’s two losses on the opening day means they’ll need to beat New Zealand on day two and count on other results to go their way if they’re at all a chance of moving on as one of the top-two ranked third-placed teams.

China will take on SVNS Series heavyweights Canada. A win for either side will be enough to guarantee them a spot in the quarter-finals along with New Zealand who have already booked their place with two big wins.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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