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Galthie's France aim to 'come through' Boks defeat with Fiji match / Photo: © AFP/File
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Galthie's France aim to 'come through' Boks defeat with Fiji match
Fabien Galthie's wounded Six Nations champions France host Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series on Saturday looking to get over last weekend's humbling loss to four-time Rugby World Cup winners South Africa.
Last Saturday, Galthie was outsmarted by Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus as Les Bleus began their campaign with a humbling loss in Paris, in a repeat outcome of the World Cup quarter-final two years ago in the same stadium.
Galthie has now lost four straight games on the bounce, the former captain's worst run of results since he took over in December 2019.
"We have to be able to come through difficult moments," Galthie told reporters on Thursday.
"We have experienced a lot together.
"They are moments that have made us stronger.
"From Monday, the coaching staff and the players were back to work," the 56-year-old added before the game in Bordeaux.
Fiji head to the Stade Atlantique also having suffered a loss last weekend, when they were beaten by England at Twickenham.
"I think any international team that loses at home are going to be fired up the following week," head coach Mick Byrne told reporters on Thursday.
"They've had a loss at home and they're going to be really fired up.
"South Africa didn't do us any favours, that's for sure," the Australian added.
- 'Ideal game' -
Galthie has recalled two experienced heads in No 8 Gregory Alldritt and lock Charles Ollivon after the loss to the Boks, as he made six changes to his side.
Alldritt, 28, is named captain with centre Gael Fickou out of the side completely while 32-year-old Ollivon makes his first France appearance since last November.
"They've been exemplary, for the youngsters who are coming through," Galthie said.
"They've shown how to behave in a squad.
"The team matters more than the individual," he added.
Byrne keeps exactly the same starting outfit from the defeat in London, and includes seven France-based players in the team.
Racing 92's Josua Tuisova and Selestino Ravutaumada, Bordeaux-Begles full-back Salesi Rayasi, winger Jiuta Wainiqolo, fly-half Caleb Muntz, Bayonne centre Sireli Maqala and Clermont back-rower Pita Gus Sowakula start for their clubs in the Top 14 and second-tier ProD2.
"I think it's always exciting when you represent your country against your mates you play with week to week," Byrne said.
"I think Josua said it well earlier in the week that they'll be doing everything they can to beat their mates up so we'll see how that goes on Saturday," the 66-year-old added.
The weekend's game offers a chance to see two of the world's most threatening backlines face off.
"I think both teams play great. That's the ideal game of football (rugby), isn't it?" Byrne said.
"Whoever can look after the ball the most and hang on to the ball will be the ones that come out on top.
"If you're not doing anything on Saturday, you can do a lot worse things to come and watch France play against Fiji," he added.
A.S. Leite--JDB
