Timoci Nagusa praises French rugby ahead of France vs Fiji match, Digi Mart USA News: Ahead of the clash between the French national team and Fiji, former Fijian international winger Timoci Nagusa made strongly positive remarks about French rugby. Nagusa, who played ten seasons with Montpellier, considers France the best country in the world for playing and developing rugby.
Now 39 years old and living in Seattle, United States, Nagusa retains a deep attachment to France, where he built much of his career. He explained why so many Fijian rugby players now want to join French championships.
According to Nagusa, the appeal of French rugby has continued to grow among Fijian players. In his early days, Pacific international players were more widely dispersed across championships around the world, but the situation has changed considerably.
Speaking to Midi Libre, the former winger explained why young Fijians now want to join France: “It wasn’t necessarily the case in my time. We were somewhat dispersed around the world.
Now, guys want to play here because they know it may be the best place to improve.”
His admiration extends beyond the opportunities offered to foreign players. Nagusa believes France has the best rugby environment in the world: “France, for me, is the best rugby country.
Even though it has never won the World Cup, the talent pool is immense. The training there is pretty crazy.”
The former Montpellier player also highlighted the opportunities available to players who do not necessarily follow traditional development paths, stressing this particular feature of French rugby: “And besides, sometimes you don’t have to go through the usual routes to break through. A lot of things are possible.”
Beyond sporting considerations, Nagusa also referred to the special ties between Fiji and France. For many Pacific players, playing in France represents far more than a professional opportunity.
France allowed them to develop their careers and build their lives in a new environment.
The former Fijian international recalled everything French rugby has given his compatriots: “The majority of Fijians play in France. It is a country that has offered us enormous opportunities, as well as a way of life.
We are all grateful.”
That attachment does not diminish Fijian players’ desire to challenge the French team on the field. Nagusa said he would always be ready to face the French national team: “If you asked me today to play France, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second.”
