A skilful winger and strong ball carrier. Vici, a cult hero in Montauban returns to the Top 14 after their fairytale Pro D2 finals series.
Josua Vici is the first Fijian to score in the new Top 14 season after he crossed 11 minutes into Montauban’s return to the top grade.
He was on the end of a beautiful backline movement which finished with him diving over in the corner, putting the ball down one-handed.
Montauban tried hard but were ultimately out-classed by Stade Francais and if not for a couple of late tries the scoreline would have looked a lot worse. Final score 47-24.
Vici made 15 carries for 57 metres, 3 linebreaks and 5 defenders beaten.
Competition | Club | Games | Tries | Points | Conversions | Penalty Kicks | Drop Goals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Top 14 | Montauban | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Competition | Years | Club | Games | Tries | Conv | Pen Kicks | Drop Goals | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Top 14 | 2025- | Montauban | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Pro D2 | 2022-2025 | Montauban | 57 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 130 |
Top 14 | 2021-2022 | Montpellier | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pro D2 | 2019-2021 | Colomiers | 32 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 |
MLR | 2018-2019 | Houston | 14 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 70 |
Years | Team | Games | Tries | Conversions | Penalty Kicks | Drop Goals | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015-2017 | Fiji Sevens | 17 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
Jiuta Wainiqolo made his official debut for Lyon in their round 2 clash against Montauban. He set up a try for Iosefo Masi who was also on debut.
In typical Wainiqolo fashion, he beat several defenders, weaving through traffic and brought down 10 metres out, two passes right and Masi had his first Top 14 5 pointer.
Wainiqolo would then score his own try 20 minutes later, outpacing his winger and beating the fullback with his footwork, running the best part of 60 metres to score.
He ran for a match high 142 metres and beat the most defenders with 5.
Montauban winger Josua Vici also had a big game for the home side, making 100 metres, scoring a try and being impactful with every run, even making positive impacts defensively.
Stade Francais hosted newcomers Montauban to open the new Top 14 season.
Fittingly for the visitors, it was their star winger Josua Vici who opened their scoring in the 11th minute with an acrobatic finish.
The home side were far too clinical and ran away to a 42-12 lead before 2 late tries brought some respect to the scoreline for Montauban. Final score 47-24.
Teamlists for round 1 of the Top 14 are in with Stade Francais hosting newcomers Montauban in the season opener. Peniasi Dakuwaqa starts on the right wing, on the opposite side Josua Vici for USM.
Peceli Yato will make his debut for Perpignan off the bench with Eneriko Buliruarua starting. For Bayonne Luke Tagi has been named in the 23 jumper.
Iosefo Masi makes his Top 14 debut from Lyon's bench, while Nathan Hughes also makes his first appearance as Racing's Number 8. Vinaya Habosi is at 13 while Lekima Tagitagivalu makes his club debut off the bench along with Josua Tuisova.
Vilimoni Botitu is in the 22 jumper for Castres who travel to Pau while Setariki Tuicuvu starts on the wing for Toulon against Montpellier.
Salesi Rayasi play's his first competition match for Bordeaux who host La Rochelle. They have named Levani Botia at 6, Suliasi Vunivalu on the wing and making his Top 14 debut is former Mont de Marsan centre/wing Semi Lagivala on the bench.
Clermont and Toulouse wrap up round 1 on Monday morning with their teamlists yet to be released.