Fiji caused what could be seen as an upset with a massive 42-6 win over France at WIN Stadium, making themselves favourites to progress to the semi-final qualifier.

Akuila Uate grabbed a hat-trick of tries for the Bati, the final one a length-of-the-field effort which may be the try of the tournament so far.

France were blunt in attack and only once managed to breach the Fijian defence; they were out-enthused and simply out-played by their opponents.

Fiji – who dispensed with the Quruquruvatu, their equivalent to the haka, in favour of a specially-written hymn – opened the scoring with a penalty from Wes Naiqama before Jarryd Hayne crossed for the first try.

The video referee was called upon to adjudicate twice, the green light appearing when Iowane Divesi crossed, Naiqama converting, and again when John Wilson scored for France, Thomas Bosc adding the goal.

A well-worked try from Akuila Uate extended Fiji’s lead and another penalty from Naiqama made the score 18-6 at the half-time interval.

The second half belonged solely to Fiji, Uate’s second coming just minutes into the second half, Naiqama adding both the conversion and another penalty to make the score 26-6.

The Bati finished with a flourish, tries from Semisi Tora and Hayne converted by Naiqama before Uate had the final say with a superb effort.

Fiji

T: Hayne (7, 70); Divavesi (19); Uate (34, 43, 74); Tora (65)
G: Naiquama (3, 20, 40, 44, 49, 66, 71)

France

T: Wilson (29)
G: Bosc (30)

HT: 18-6

Ref: Ashley Klein

Att: 8,000