The Vodafone Fijiana XV team delivered an impressive performance against Hong Kong China, securing a decisive 38-3 victory in their opening match, setting a strong tone for their upcoming WXV3 match against Samoa on October 12 in Dubai.
Head coach Mosese Rauluni acknowledged the team’s slow start, noting that they were complacent in the first half and conceded too much possession, leading to several penalties. However, he expressed satisfaction with their second-half improvement despite some minor errors that created pressure for the team.
Following recent losses to Scotland and the Netherlands, the win against Hong Kong China has boosted the players’ confidence as they prepare for the challenging game against Samoa. Rauluni emphasized the need for strong set-pieces and improved physicality in ball carrying and defense for the upcoming match.
Captain Karalaini Naisewa, who scored two tries, remarked on the positive aspects of their performance and the similarity of the weather conditions in Dubai to those back home. She acknowledged that the game against Samoa will be difficult and stressed the importance of enhancing their fitness levels to secure a win.
Fiji opened the scoring with a try from prop Anasimeci Korovata, leading 5-0, followed by a second try from Kolora Lomani pushing the score to 10-0. Hong Kong China responded with a penalty from Fung Hoi Ching, bringing the score to 10-3. Naisewa then added to Fiji’s lead with a try that was successfully converted by Luisa Tisolo, making it 17-3.
Further tries from winger Repeka Tove and flanker Sulita Waisega, both converted by Tisolo, stretched the lead to 31-3, before Naisewa capped off the scoring with her second try, finalized by another successful conversion from Tisolo for a final score of 38-3.
In other sports news, the national under-18 schoolboys team triumphed over Australia, winning 26-14 in their first match at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, with their second match scheduled for 3pm tomorrow.