Fijiana aim for growth as World Cup kicks off against Canada

Fijiana ready to push growth as World Cup opens with Canada test

Fiji’s Vodafone Fijiana XV head coach Ioan Cunningham has urged his team to keep growing as they gear up for a challenging Women’s Rugby World Cup opener against Canada in York, England. The Pool B slate also features Scotland and Wales, making the group one of the toughest in the tournament.

A narrow 31-24 loss to the USA in a warm-up clash in Washington showed Fiji can threaten higher-ranked teams, but Canada—ranked No. 2 in the world behind hosts England—will present a significantly tougher hurdle. Cunningham says the challenge is exactly what the squad needs to push toward a higher level, aiming to surprise in England while continuing their development trajectory.

Fiji were welcomed into England alongside New Zealand, Spain and Canada in York, and Cunningham notes there are plenty of family ties in the United Kingdom that should rally support for the Fijiana. The team will kick off their campaign against Canada at 4:30 am on Sunday, with the match staged at York Community Stadium in London.

What to watch as Fiji chase progress in Pool B
– Growth and balance: Cunningham has emphasised turning Fiji’s natural flair into a more balanced game—keeping pace and attack while tightening structure, particularly in defence and kicking to control tempo.
– Sevens-to-15s integration: The squad continues to blend players from Fiji’s sevens program with 15s specialists to boost speed, decision-making and versatility across positions.
– Opponent mix: Canada’s No. 2 ranking will test Fiji’s discipline and execution, while Wales and Scotland will demand tactical adaptability to different European styles.
– Build-up momentum: Fiji’s recent scrimmage win, a 34-12 result against Manusina Samoa, and a string of competitive outings have underlined a strong, cohesive group with depth across the squad.

Context and outlook
Cunningham has been deliberate about developing game management, momentum control, and a spine of leaders to steer matches through tight moments. The goal is to preserve Fiji’s expansive, entertaining approach while adding a sharper kicking game and more reliable set-piece defence. This period of growth fits into a broader push to elevate women’s rugby in Fiji and the Pacific, with potential benefits for grassroots participation and future generations of players.

Summary
Ioan Cunningham is steering Fiji toward a blend of flair and discipline as they prepare for the World Cup. With improved attacking cohesion, smarter game management, and a deep player pool—including sevens talents—the Fijiana aim to challenge top opponents in Pool B and inspire a new era of women’s rugby in Fiji.

Positive note
The Fijiana arrive in England with momentum, a clear plan, and strong internal competition that has sharpened their tools. If they can maintain their attacking spark while tightening discipline under pressure, they have a realistic chance to push higher-ranked teams and leave a lasting, uplifting impression on the world stage.