The Vodafone Fijiana XV team is currently without a head coach, just 11 months before the Women’s Rugby World Cup slated for England from August 22 to September 27 next year. This situation arose after head coach Mosese Rauluni resigned last Wednesday. His contract with the Fiji Rugby Union concluded following the team’s last match in the WXV 3 tournament, where Fiji narrowly lost to Spain with a score of 8-10. Fijiana ended the WXV 3 competition in fourth place.
Former head coach Inoke Male has yet to determine if he will apply for the head coaching position when it is reopened for applications, while Senirusi Seruvakula has confirmed he will not pursue the role. Male commented, “I will decide when the time comes.” Reflecting on the Fijiana team’s performance, he noted, “There are some misunderstandings regarding players and management, and (only) the girls need to answer those questions.” Male also recognized the contribution of Australian-born Qarani Gau to both the Drua and Fijiana teams.
Like Rauluni, Male had a three-year contract that began last year with the expectation of leading the women’s team to the World Cup, but after just ten months, he was encouraged to re-apply and ultimately chose not to continue.
Rauluni had occupied his role for only nine months before his resignation, which followed a string of performances that fell short of the high standards he had set. He has chosen to return to Australia to be with his family. Under his leadership, Fijiana secured a spot in the Rugby World Cup 2025 by winning the 2024 Oceania Championship, and guided the Fijian Drua women to their third consecutive final, although they were unable to defend their Super W title.
The team, captained by Karalaini Naisewa, achieved just one victory in the WXV 3 tournament, bringing the 2024 season to a close after a fiercely contested match against Spain. In this match, Spain’s strong defense thwarted Fijiana’s attempts to showcase their typical free-flowing play. Fiji took an early lead in the 20th minute with a penalty kick from fullback Luisa Tisolo, making the score 3-0. However, discipline issues allowed Spain to capitalize and score a converted try when Fiji’s Aviame Veidreyaki was yellow-carded.
Spain extended their lead with a penalty kick in the 76th minute, bringing the score to 10-3. Adita Milinia scored an unconverted try at full-time, reducing the deficit to 10-8. Tisolo had an opportunity to equalize the match with a conversion, but her kick went wide amidst the celebrations from the Spanish team.
Samoa secured a World Cup spot by defeating Madagascar 46-15, marking their return to the Women’s Rugby World Cup since 2014. Meanwhile, the Netherlands concluded their inaugural tournament with a decisive bonus-point victory, defeating Hong Kong China 33-3, which elevated them to third place in the standings.