Oliva (Spain) (AFP)

Fijian-born winger Alivereti Raka was "surprised" to be among the 31 presumed holders of the XV of France for the World Cup in Japan (September 20 - November 2), he said Sunday in Oliva , in Spain, for his first appearance against the media.

"As everyone was talking about other wingers here in France, I was surprised but happy," said Clermontois, naturalized French in the fall and preferred to Teddy Thomas June 18 during the announcement by coach Jacques Brunel 31 theoretical and 6 reservists for preparation.

Raka, however, has no international experience, and his two seasons have been spoiled by injuries. The latest, a broken wrist in December, deprived him of a first selection at the Blues at the Six Nations.

"The six months without playing (two months for an ankle injury and four months for the scaphoid bone, Ed), I did not catch the ball for six months, I did only physical every day I found it hard, "he told the resort complex Oliva Nova where the Blues arrived Thursday for a one-week course.

"When I resumed (late March), I did not play as well," said the nugget detected by the ASM Nadroga academy. "That's why the list was a surprise."

- More expected -

Revealed in 2016 - 8 tries in 9 matches -, author of the test that allowed Clermont to win in the final of the 2017 Top 14 against Toulon, Raka is now more expected by the opposing defenses. "That's right, when I get the ball, everyone comes on me, at 4, 5" defenders, he says. In the final of the championship mid-June, he was thus "not able to do much" against Toulouse who "defended well".

To become again the terror of the opponents in Japan, Brunel wishes that Raka "moves a little more.It tends to remain in his zone", explained the Gersois Friday. "We want to use this power in other places." Raka is aware that he must not "stay on the wing all the time".

Fabien Galthié, new coach in charge of the collective, also inculcates new instructions in defense. "He asks me to go up to defend in front and leave the 15 behind, it's new," he says.

The XV of France must play three matches of preparation against Scotland (August 17 and 24) and Italy (August 30). Brunel will give at the end of this last test his final list of 31 players.

© 2019 AFP