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Fiji set for massive boost even as they fight to contain virus outbreak in camp

Semi Radradra

Bristol centre Semi Radradra is understood to have made a rapid recovery from a serious hamstring injury and is set to take his place in the Fiji squad to take on France in their opening Autumn Nations Cup match on 15 November, according to RMC Sport.

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This puts back onto the pitch the potential mid-field clash between fellow Fijians Radradra and Virimi Vakatawa who has become a key figure in the France back line. Radradra and Vakatawa are rated two of the most dangerous centres in world rugby but it appeared the hamstring injury Radradra suffered playing for Bristol in the Challenge Cup final against Toulon on 16 October had ruled this clash out.

Radradra, who left Bordeaux-Bègles Union this summer to join Bristol, made an immediate impact in the Gallagher Premiership and will join the rest of the Fiji squad training in Limoges on Wednesday. Radradra’s recovery is the boost Fiji needed following three positive tests amongst their squad for COVID-19 and the Bristol centre will have to be tested again on arrival.

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Nadolo on life in France:

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Nadolo on life in France:

Head coach Vern Cotter has had to amend his training sessions to limit contact to small groups following the positive tests and the squad is set to undergo more testing on Wednesday in an attempt to get back to normal preparations with contact training.

Fiji are being monitored daily by their medical team and supported by the medical arm of the French Rugby Union and the Six Nations who are organising the Autumn Nations tournament. The Fiji team will be tested twice a week along with the seven other competing teams as they prepare for the Cup.

John O’Connor, the FRU chief executive, has confirmed that the Fiji players who were released to play for their clubs at the weekend and those who have yet to join the team in camp will also be tested. If they are negative those players will join the group only when they have tested negative again.

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S
SK 19 minutes ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

34 Go to comments
J
JW 5 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Yep, no one knows what will happen. Thing is I think (this is me arguing a point here not a random debate with this one) they're better off trialing it now in a controlled environment than waiting to open it up in a knee jerk style reaction to a crumbling organtization and team. They can always stop it again.


The principle idea is that why would players leave just because the door is ajar?


BBBR decides to go but is not good enough to retain the jersey after doing it. NZ no longer need to do what I suggest by paying him to get back upto speed. That is solely a concept of a body that needs to do what I call pick and stick wth players. NZR can't hold onto everyone so they have to choose their BBBRs and if that player comes back from a sabbatical under par it's a priority to get him upto speed as fast as possible because half of his competition has been let go overseas because they can't hold onto them all. Changing eligibility removes that dilemma, if a BBBR isn't playing well you can be assured that someone else is (well the idea is that you can be more assured than if you only selected from domestic players).


So if someone decides they want to go overseas, they better do it with an org than is going to help improve them, otherwise theyre still basically as ineligible as if they would have been scorning a NZ Super side that would have given them the best chance to be an All Black.

147 Go to comments
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