Fijiana XV captain Alfreda Fisher says she is buoyed by the mix of new and experienced players as Fiji prepares to open its Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship campaign against Tonga at Churchill Park today, with kickoff scheduled for 4.30pm.
Fisher said the integration of fresh faces with established players has raised confidence across the camp and helped build strong on- and off-field connections ahead of the first match of the tournament. “We’re excited because we have some new players and also old players, and they are blending well together,” she said, adding that the squad’s main preparation priorities have been tightening line defence and increasing physicality in contact. “We need to improve on our line defence, our connections, and winning collisions,” Fisher said, underlining the team’s focus on the basics that will set the tone for the competition.
Interim head coach Mike Legge confirmed last week’s cyclone created disruption to the team’s schedule, with facility closures forcing an interruption to normal training. The squad was able to return to work on Saturday and has trained continuously since, he said. “We had a lot of distractions last week with facility closures, but we came in on Saturday and have been able to train ever since. It’s been okay, and it can be better,” Legge said, framing the recovery as a positive test of the team’s resilience.
Legge also highlighted a deliberate emphasis on expanding the squad’s depth by drawing from domestic competition. Twelve players selected for the Fijiana squad earned their places through the Marama Cup, he revealed, calling the inclusion “massive for our development.” The coach signalled that a handful of those locally based players are likely to make their international debuts against Tonga, giving domestic talent an immediate pathway to the international stage.
Expectations for a physical battle with Tonga are high, Legge said, and he insisted the players must stick to their processes to generate momentum. “We expect a physical game, and for us it’s about sticking to our processes and what we believe will give us the win,” he said, signalling a pragmatic approach that prioritises structure and defensive cohesion over flair in the opening fixture.
Home support at Churchill Park is expected to be an important factor as Fiji looks to set the competition’s early pace, with Fisher emphasising her readiness for the leadership role. “Nothing new, but I’m excited to lead our girls in this tournament,” she said, pointing to leadership stability amid squad refreshment.
Today’s match will be watched closely for the debutants from the Marama Cup and for signs that the team’s defensive tightening and increased physicality have translated into performance. With the disruptions caused by the cyclone behind them and a blend of youth and experience in the playing group, the Fijiana head into their opening match determined to convert preparation into a winning start.
Leave a comment