The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s suffered a disappointing performance at the Perth 7s, finishing their pool games without a victory after a challenging match against Japan, which ended 31-14. This marks the second consecutive year that the Fijiana has not secured a win in the group stage during this tournament.
The Fijiana’s struggles began with losses to the USA and New Zealand in their initial matches. In the contest against Japan, the team faced an uphill battle right from the start, as Japan scored their first try just 40 seconds into the game. However, the Fijians quickly responded, with Mere Vocevoce finding the try zone less than a minute later.
Despite a spirited effort, Fiji’s defense was put to the test throughout the match. Reapi Ulunisau made a notable play, assisting veteran Ana Maria Naimasi for Fiji’s second try, momentarily putting the Fijians ahead at 14-12. Unfortunately, as the first half came to a close, Japan struck again with a converted try, regaining the lead.
Indiscipline ultimately hurt the Fijiana’s chances, as Vocevoce and Naimasi were both sent off late in the game, allowing Japan to score another try and sealing Fiji’s fate. While this latest outing is a setback, the resilience shown by the players—with notable performances from Vocevoce, Naimasi, and Ulunisau—provides a foundation for future growth and improvement in upcoming tournaments. The team will undoubtedly look to regroup and learn from this experience, fostering hopes for a stronger showing in the next competitions.
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