Captain Tevita Ikanivere expressed a mixture of disappointment and optimism following the FIJI Water Flying Fijians’ 38-18 loss to England during the Quilter Nations Series at Twickenham. Despite the defeat, where Fiji initially led 13-7 with notable tries from Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz, discipline issues proved costly. The introduction of yellow cards for players Selestino Ravutaumada and Josua Tuisova allowed England to capitalize, scoring 17 unanswered points which effectively shifted the match in their favor.
Ikanivere, who scored two tries in the game, acknowledged that while the team displayed moments of skill, their inability to maintain discipline undermined their efforts. “Not the result we wanted, quite disappointed with ourselves — the discipline we had towards the end… that let us down,” he stated, indicating the team’s resolve to learn from these lapses.
The Flying Fijians’ attacking play showed promise, highlighted by contributions from other players such as Pita Gus-Sowakula, who assisted Muntz’s try, and winger Salesi Rayasi, who constantly pressured the England defense. However, the match statistics reflected a need for improvement, particularly in controlling the game’s tempo and managing penalties effectively.
Looking ahead, Ikanivere remains hopeful about the team’s development as they prepare for upcoming Tests against France and Spain. This next phase of their journey is seen as an essential step towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup, providing valuable experience against top-tier international teams. Fiji’s resilience and commitment to growth continue to inspire their fans, who are eager to see the team bounce back stronger in their future matches.
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