The Fijiana women’s rugby team is gearing up for the Women’s Fifteens Three (WXV3) competition in Dubai by scheduling two Test matches in Europe next month, marking their inaugural experience in this format.
The team will compete against the Netherlands and Scotland in September. On September 15, they will face Scotland, as confirmed by the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU), and on September 19, they will play their first match in Amsterdam against the Orange Ladies.
Head coach Mosese Rauluni emphasized the importance of these games in preparation for the WXV3 event later this year. “Our main focus is Scotland in the first game, but the overarching goal is to win WXV3, and it’s fantastic to face a strong team like Scotland, which participates in the Women’s Six Nations, as well as the Netherlands, an emerging rugby nation,” said Rauluni.
He noted that these matches will help the team get ready for WXV3, and some members of the Women’s High Performance Unit have been included in the extended squad for these encounters.
Scotland, which won WXV2 in 2023 and finished fourth in the Six Nations earlier this year, presents a significant challenge. “The Netherlands has qualified for WXV3 and is competing for a Rugby World Cup (RWC) spot, offering a different style of play that is essential for our RWC 2025 preparations,” Rauluni added.
At the WXV3, the Fijiana will compete against Samoa, Hong Kong, China, and Spain, all of which are anticipated to provide strong competition. The WXV3 tournament is set to commence on September 27.