The Vodafone Fijiana XV team showcased an impressive performance against Hong Kong China, winning 38-3 in their opening match of the WXV3 tournament. This victory sets a positive tone as they prepare for their upcoming match against Samoa on October 12 in Dubai.
Head coach Mosese Rauluni acknowledged that the team was sluggish in the first half, conceding possession and committing penalties, but they improved in the second half despite some lingering errors that created pressure. He expressed relief at securing a win following back-to-back losses in previous Test matches against Scotland and the Netherlands. “The win gave the players confidence moving forward to a tough game against Samoa in two weeks,” Rauluni stated, emphasizing the need for solid set-pieces and improved physicality against the Samoan team.
Captain Karalaini Naisewa praised the team’s performance and highlighted that the weather in Dubai is similar to that in Fiji, which should be advantageous for them. She acknowledged the challenge of facing Samoa and stressed the importance of raising their fitness levels to secure the next victory.
The match featured notable contributions from several players. Anasimeci Korovata scored the first try for Fiji, followed by Kolora Lomani’s second try during a well-executed attack. Although Luisa Tisolo missed two conversions early on, she later succeeded in converting Naisewa’s and Repeka Tove’s tries. Naisewa ultimately scored twice, contributing to the final score of 38-3.
In another noteworthy event, the national under-18 schoolboys defeated Australia 26-14 in their first match at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, with their next match scheduled for 3 PM tomorrow.