Standout players from the Fiji Rugby Union’s franchise competition and members of the national women’s 7s team have come together at the Vodafone Fijiana 15s camp in Nadi, as preparations ramp up for the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship scheduled to begin on June 6 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. With only 18 days until the tournament, head coach Ioan Cunningham is optimistic about building depth and versatility within the squad.
Cunningham noted, “We have some franchise players who performed really well in the franchise matches and deserved to be here. We’ve also introduced some of the 7s players just for them to observe our environment and obviously looking at them as we move closer to the World Cup.” This focus on integrating talent reflects a strategic approach that aims to enhance the team’s performance for both regional success and future competition on the world stage.
Fiji’s campaign will kick off against Tonga, a match that Cunningham considers crucial for establishing the team’s momentum before facing Samoa just a week later. Playing on home soil has the potential to boost the team’s confidence, a crucial factor in their performance.
Cunningham further emphasized that the ongoing development at the camp has fostered healthy competition for places, which in turn has elevated the standard of play. This maintains the positive trajectory since their last outing against the Wallaroos, where they aimed to refine their skills and strategies in anticipation of the World Cup.
Similar past articles highlighted Cunningham’s efforts to identify talent and enhance team cohesion, crucial to their preparations for the Rugby World Cup later this year in England. With a commitment to blending Fiji’s natural flair with strategic gameplay, the Fijiana XV is in a hopeful position to showcase the strengths and depth of women’s rugby in Fiji.
The excitement surrounding this initiative reflects not only the aspirations of the players but also the broader ambitions of Fiji in the global sporting arena, marking this chapter as one filled with potential and promise for the future of women’s rugby.
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