The Vodafone Fijiana XVs are preparing for a significant series of international matches leading up to the WXV 3 tournament in Dubai later this year. These crucial games will provide essential playing time and an opportunity to refine their strategies in anticipation of the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
In a historic first, Fiji will compete against Scotland Women on Sunday, 15th September, with the match set to begin at 3:45 am (FJT) at the Hive Stadium. Subsequently, the team will travel to the Netherlands for their inaugural match against the Orange Ladies on Thursday, 19th September, at NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam.
Coach Mosese Rauluni emphasized the importance of these two matches in their preparation for WXV3 in Dubai. He stated, “The primary focus is on Scotland in the first game, but ultimately, our goal is to win WXV3. It’s exciting to face a strong team like Scotland, who are part of the Women’s Six Nations, and the Netherlands, an emerging rugby nation.”
Rauluni noted that these test matches are crucial for entering WXV3 fully prepared. The squad has incorporated several players from the Women’s High-Performance Unit in anticipation of the upcoming fixtures. He acknowledged Scotland’s recent performance, where they finished fourth in the Six Nations and won WXV2 in 2023, expressing eagerness to test their skills against them. The Netherlands, having qualified for WXV3 and competing for a Rugby World Cup spot, will present a different style of play that is vital for their preparations for the upcoming World Cup.
The Vodafone Fijiana XV will face formidable opponents at WXV3, with matches scheduled against Hong Kong China, Samoa, and Spain. The WXV3 tournament kicks off on 27th September.