Patience on attack and stern defence is the forecast for the Rooster Chicken Fijiana side as they turn their focus on France.

Following their first World Cup 21-17 win over South Africa on Sunday at the Waitagere Stadium, Auck­land, the Fijians know the road to the quarter-finals won’t be easy.

In an interview yesterday with captain Asinate Serevi, she said the team will have to lift their game against the French.

“To play in the quarters we will have to do everything right from recovering to training from this week,” Serevi said.

“We have to build from Sunday’s game and try to be more patient whenever we have possession.

“To top it all up our defense has to be solid when we face a very good and solid French side.

“Playing against South Africa to the last whistle, we won; now the next big match before us is against France.

“It was tough. South Africa is a good team – they are a well-bal­anced team and well-coached – and they were very physical.”

“We know the French will be more tough and fast so we need to focus on not giv­ing away penalties and possession.

Head coach Se­nirusi Seruvakula said France will be a tough team to face this week­end.

“We know that moving forward France is going to be tougher but we know we have things to work on,” he said.

“I think we can be a lot more phys­ical but I think, for us, it is being a lot more patient with the ball.

“We get excited when we have the ball and we want to get the Fijian offloading going.

“We know that sometimes we get shut down and we have to have something else, like falling back which is good.”

Story By:  simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj