Commentary by Peter Williams: The reality of Fiji's victory over France

COMMENT:

Do not let the charm of Fiji's victory over France last weekend make you believe that Fijian rugby training and development systems are improving and that this great triumph for the Pacific is based on what is happening in the islands.

The reality is completely different.

It was more like a match between a French team playing in France and a Fijian team playing in France.

Of the 15 starters in Fiji, nine are subcontracted to French clubs. Five others play in England or Scotland. Only one, the young member of the team, half-half Frank Lomani, 22, plays in the southern hemisphere at the national level for the Fijian Drua, who won the Australian rugby championship this year.

Some members of the team were also stars elsewhere. Semi Radradra played in the league for Australia after being a star of the NRL with Parramatta. Josua Tuisova and Leone Nakarawa have won seven gold medals in Rio.

Some of them have ties to New Zealand. Tevita Cavubati, Bill's brother, became a cult figure of the Wellington team a few years ago, played for the Tasman Makos in the Premiership final in 2014. Top five Ben Volavola had a few seasons with Canterbury and the Crusaders before joining Racing 92 last year. .

Then there is the coach. John McKee grew up in Hutt Valley, played at the Wellington Club and went to Australia 40 years ago. He has been living there ever since, played for Victoria and is the Fiji coach since 2014.

His most important investment has been the two visits he has made each year to clubs in Europe. Not only can he evaluate the form of the Fijian players, but he can also develop a relationship with these clubs, hoping that players will be released for Rugby World Cup next year.

This has been the big scandal of World Rugby for years. Highly skilled and talented Pacific players have been trained in contracts with a wealthy European club they could not escape for the Rugby World Cup without risking losing those contracts.

With the support of World Rugby and national federations, McKee believes the situation is much better than it was. He said at New Zealand Herald Recently, he visited 15 clubs during his last trip to Britain and France.

We will not know until next year 's teams are appointed if the approach works. But someone of importance should ask tough questions whether Radradra still plays Bordeaux or Nakarawa at Racing 92 while the World Cup is underway.

Fiji is part of Group D with Australia, Wales, Georgia and Uruguay. They will have to be at full strength to get out of it.

As for France, it only pays the price of having too many New Zealanders, South Africans – and Fijians – in the Top 14. Until the French Rugby Federation takes the control of his game away from club owners, the prospects for the national team are at the very least average.

For rugby, it would be nice if Joe Schmidt is not completely lost to the game when he leaves his post in Ireland in 11 months.

But, although no recent developments have been reported, it is known that Joe and his wife Kellie have a son, Luke, about 14 years old, who is suffering from epilepsy.

I imagine that Joe's announcement this week has more to do with that than with anything else.
At the age of 53, the former deputy director of Tauranga Boys' College has a lot to offer in various fields. It would be good to think that rugby could at least be part of that future.

Otherwise, he can think about a decade and a half of outstanding success as a coach, having won the Ranfurly Shield in 2004. After two Heineken cups with Leinster, three Six Nations titles and two wins. After four games against the All Blacks, there is not much to do except for a Rugby World Cup.

For the moment, who would bet on the closure of Joe Schmidt's resume?