The Vodafone Fijiana XV team has commenced its training camp in preparation for an upcoming scrimmage against Samoa, set to take place this Saturday at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. The squad just returned from a challenging tour in the United States where they faced tough competition, ultimately losing to the USA Women’s Eagles with a score of 24-31.
Despite the disappointment of the recent defeat, head coach Ioan Cunningham remains hopeful and upbeat about the team’s performance as they regroup for the home match against Samoa. “We had plenty of scoring chances against the USA but couldn’t convert them. Our main focus now is improving our accuracy with the ball,” Cunningham commented.
Fortunately, the coach noted that there are no significant injury concerns following their U.S. tour. “The girls are in good shape with just a few bumps and bruises, but nothing serious,” he stated, indicating the team’s readiness and morale ahead of the scrimmage.
Cunningham reflected on the physical encounter with the USA, which provided valuable learning experiences for the squad. The upcoming match will mark a significant rivalry as the Fijiana XV last faced Samoa in the Oceania Championship, resulting in a closely contested match. He anticipates another tough battle, saying, “Samoa will bring physicality and speed. Last time, they exposed us out wide, so we need to step up our defense and be intelligent with our ball control.”
Kick-off details and the final team lineup will be revealed within the next few days. The match is an important opportunity not only to strengthen the team’s preparation for future competitions but also to showcase and inspire the growth of women’s rugby in the region.
The overall sentiment surrounding the Fijiana XV’s journey is positive, with hopes that improved accuracy and teamwork will lead to a successful performance against Samoa, further buoying the pride in women’s rugby in Fiji.
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