The Vodafone Fijiana XV is preparing for a thrilling challenge at the upcoming 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. The Fijian team is placed in a challenging Pool B, where they will compete against notable teams including Canada, Scotland, and Wales.
This tournament, scheduled to take place from September 7 to October 28, is set to be a landmark event in the women’s rugby scene. Alana Thomas, the women’s high-performance unit manager of Fiji Rugby Union, expressed her optimism and enthusiasm following the pool draw. She emphasized that being in such a competitive group highlights the growth of women’s rugby in Fiji.
“We are excited to embrace this challenge and represent our nation with pride,” stated Thomas. The Fijiana XV recently returned to Fiji after participating in the WXV3 competition in Dubai, where they completed their exit reviews.
The team will take a short break before reconvening in November to start their preparations for the World Cup. Reflecting on the past season, Thomas highlighted the team’s accomplishments, noting, “This has been the biggest season in the history of the Fijiana XV, with 11 Test matches that led us to qualify for the World Cup, win the Oceania Championship, and achieve our first victory over Japan.”
The squad’s recent tour in the northern hemisphere, which included a match against Scotland, has been beneficial in gaining valuable experience. Despite the outcome not being favorable, Thomas believes that the exposure to Six Nations-style rugby and playing in different conditions will greatly assist them in the World Cup.
As excitement builds for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, the Fijiana XV is keen to bring the spirit of Fiji to England and make a significant impact on the international stage.