The Fijiana XV women’s rugby team was beaten by Scotland 29-15 in their second pool match of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, played at the Salford Community Stadium. The result left Fiji with 14 players on the field late in the game after a second red card in as many matches, but head coach Ioan Cunningham said he was encouraged by what he called an “improved performance” and the team’s growth.
Scotland moved ahead early, grabbing the initiative inside the first few minutes and heading into halftime with a 17-5 lead. Fiji pressed after the break, but discipline again hampered their efforts, with a yellow card to Vika Matarugu disrupting momentum as they chased a comeback.
In the post-match brief, Cunningham acknowledged the difficulty of the result but stressed the positive signs. “We go into every match to win, but I’m super proud of the performance. We showed growth in our game. We had Scotland under pressure in the second half, but we didn’t quite come away with enough points. But proud of the effort,” he said. He added that Fiji will return to the drawing board to rectify their mistakes ahead of their next match.
Looking ahead, Scotland are set to face Canada next weekend, while Fiji’s schedule continues with a match against Wales in Exeter. Scotland are widely regarded as one of the world’s stronger sides, which makes Fiji’s ongoing development a key storyline of the tournament as they push to translate training-ground improvements into consistency over 80 minutes.
What to watch for in Fiji’s next outing:
– Ball retention under pressure and decision-making when the tempo rises, an area highlighted by coaches as crucial for improving performances against elite opposition.
– Set-piece stability and clean exits from defense to reduce scoring opportunities for top teams.
– Leadership and squad depth to sustain intensity throughout the match and avoid repetition of discipline setbacks.
Beyond the result, the match underscored Fiji’s broader development path. The Fijiana program has been working on blending Fiji’s classic pace with a tighter 15s game plan, focusing on discipline, strategic game management, and finishing touches. The rapid learning curve against a high-caliber opponent like Scotland is seen by the coaching staff as a necessary stage in building a sustainable, competitive Fiji side for the World Cup and beyond.
Summary: A tough afternoon for Fiji, but signs of growth and intent were visible as they continued to challenge a top-tier Scotland outfit. With continued emphasis on ball control, discipline, and finishing efficiency, Fiji aims to turn these hard lessons into stronger showings in their remaining World Cup games and in the broader development of women’s rugby in Fiji and the Pacific. A hopeful note from the camp is that steady improvement can translate into more competitive performances against higher-ranked nations.
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