David Leggat: Things we learned about France and Fiji

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So France are off to a flyer and Fiji flattered to deceive, huffing and puffing well before the end in Brisbane.

Was the outcome ever likely to be different? What did we learn about these teams that we did not already know? Not much, actually.

Here is the snapshot of what we saw at Suncorp Stadium ...

Five things we learned about France

1: They are disciplined. This hasn't always been the case with the Tricolors and many opponents have worn the physical evidence of that. However, they kept their heads on Saturday night and even when the fists were flying midway through the second half, made sure their rugby was what we remembered the game for.

2: Their midfield pairing of Tony Marsh and Yannick Jauzion will take some beating.

Marsh, the former Counties Manukau man, is just back after recovering from testicular cancer. You can see why French coach Bernard Laporte wanted him at the cup.

He provided the power and skill; Jauzion the slick finishing and elegant running. All class.

3: Laporte is not afraid to be pragmatic. Captain Fabien Galthie eschewed the flash and dash early to keep the Fijians pegged back. They also took plenty of shots at goal to take away Fiji's hopes of getting on a wide-running roll. Smart planning.

4: Despite that there is still room for the madcap moment, as provided by wing Aurelien Rougerie.

Hounded inside the French 22, he let fly with a dreadful crossfield kick which led directly to Api Naevo's early try for Fiji. Plan all you like, but there's still room for a Gallic cockup.

5: Young, gifted and backs - the new wave of French backs are entertainers. Fullback Nicolas Brusque, Rougerie, Jauzion and goal-kicking first five-eighth Frederic Michalik have flair, pace. Add in Galthie's old head, Marsh's midfield craft and Christophe Dominici's tryscoring instincts wide on the left and they look the goods.

Five things we learned about Fiji

1: They will have us out of our seats when they're on song. But if you're a Fijian supporter, don't expect to have much hair left by the end of this journey.

2: No discipline. They were poor at the rucks, conceding a welter of penalties, and lost their heads in the second-half punch-up.

3: If they do get the ball to their wide men, with room to move, they will take any side apart. Rupeni Caucaunibuca's try showed what is possible. Getting the ball around Fiji's 22, he rocketed around Rougerie, who is no slouch, then swerved inside Brusque. Dazzling.

4: If you've ever wondered why sevens maestro Waisale Serevi is not picked for the XV-a-side game as often as maybe he should be, now you know. A big disappointment.

5: They are short on decent props. That's the only explanation for Joe Veitayaki's presence. Dear old Joe, of King Country and Northland fame, may be older than the combined French front row. He didn't quite make it to the first three rucks of the game and was blowing hard after 10 minutes but, like Old Man River, he just kept rolling along.

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