Noa Nakaitaci says France deserved half-time telling off

France winger Noa Nakaitaci says he feels the team deserved the slating they received from head coach Philippe Saint-Andre after their disappointing first-half display against Romania.

Les Bleus scored five tries to win the World Cup fixture 38-11 at the Olympic Stadium. However, after 30 minutes the scoreboard showed 3-3 and Romania seemed to be the stronger side.

However, Saint-Andre had some stern words for his players during the interval, shown by television cameras allowed into the changing rooms.

"He told us to move ourselves. He was a bit upset," Nakaitaci said.

"We knew he was going to be upset at half-time because we didn't make a good first-half performance. It was ugly. He is happy for the moment."

Romania's Paulica Ion received a yellow card towards the end of the first period, allowing Sofianne Guitone and Yannick Nyanga the opportunity to score twice in just three minutes.

Romania looked confident for the first 20 minutes of the second half before a combination of lethargy and tries from Guitoune, Wesley Fofana and Gael Ficou ensured the bonus-point victory.

Nakaitaci said the team are pleased with the victory: "We are happy with our bonus-point win although the game wasn't what we wanted it to be like.

"The first half hour was very unsettling. They were good in the scrums, they were good in the rucks, but we didn't panic.

"We were able to come back in the second half and put a few tries in."

France are now top of Pool D, four points clear of Ireland, who have a game in hand.

Les Bleus now have a rest before next Thursday, where they take on Canada in Milton Keynes. Forward Bernard Le Roux believes France could win the competition following their two opening victories.

"For the first time in a few years we have had a brilliant pre-season of a few months," Le Roux said.

"There is a really good vibe going on. We are here to win the competition."

Despite not winning a game against France since 1990, The Oaks will take confidence into their clash with Ireland on Sunday. They equalled France for long spells and even managed a late consolation try thanks to Valentin Ursache.

"The try is a huge achievement for us and Romanian rugby," forwards coach Marius Tincu said.

"We've tried so hard to achieve a result and we celebrated that try like a victory.

"We have showed the world that we can compete against the big nations and done ourselves and our country proud."