The Vodafone Fijiana XV team delivered an impressive performance against Hong Kong China, winning 38-3 in their opening match, setting the stage for their upcoming WXV3 clash against Samoa on October 12 in Dubai.
Head coach Mosese Rauluni noted that the team struggled in the first half, giving away too much possession and penalties. However, he expressed satisfaction with the overall result, which comes after two tough Test match losses to Scotland and the Netherlands. Rauluni acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in set-pieces and defense, ahead of the challenging match against Samoa.
Captain Karalaini Naisewa also reflected positively on the team’s performance, highlighting the familiarity of Dubai’s weather with home conditions. She emphasized the importance of enhancing fitness levels to succeed against Samoa.
The match saw prop Anasimeci Korovata score the first try for Fiji, followed by contributions from sevens expert Kolora Lomani and a series of well-executed plays. Naisewa added to the scoreline with two tries, while Luisa Tisolo managed successful conversions, cementing a strong lead for the Fijianas.
In other news, the national under-18 schoolboys secured a victory against Australia, winning 26-14 in their first match at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, with their next match scheduled for 3 PM tomorrow.