Vodafone Fijiana XV head coach Mosese Rauluni expressed his disappointment after the team’s 17-45 loss to Manusina Samoa. Following this defeat, Fiji has dropped to third place with five points in the standings, while Samoa has moved up to second with seven points.
This match was vital for Samoa as they aim to secure a spot in next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, especially since Fiji had previously defeated them 27-13 in the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship in June.
In a post-match interview, Rauluni acknowledged that his team was outperformed throughout the match. He noted that despite their solid training sessions leading up to the game, they failed to translate that preparation into their performance on the field.
“While we attempted to push for a win in the second half, we were unable to keep pace as Samoa extended their lead with contributions from Cassie Siataga,” he mentioned.
Rauluni emphasized the importance of reviewing their mistakes, stating that effective game management and reducing errors are essential for improvement. He reflected on previous matches against Scotland and the Netherlands, indicating that similar issues had arisen. “We cannot afford to keep repeating these errors, especially in a high-tempo match,” he commented.
Looking ahead, the Fijiana team has a week to regroup before facing table leaders Spain in their upcoming WXV 3 match on Sunday. Rauluni acknowledged the challenge ahead, indicating that preparations for the match against Spain will be focused and intense.
In the recent game, fullback Luisa Tisolo scored two tries, and captain Karalaini Naisewa added a third, with Tisolo successfully converting Naisewa’s try. Samoa secured their victory with six tries, three of which were converted, alongside three penalties.
Vodafone Fijiana XV previously secured a 38-3 win against Hong Kong China, while Samoa had drawn 8-all against the Netherlands. The Fijiana team will also have two Test matches against Scotland in England scheduled for November.