Despite the wet weather in Sigatoka, the Vodafone Fijiana XV’s opened the first game for this year’s Oceania Rugby women’s tournament with a 59 – 5 win over Tongan Lofa.
The game kicked off at 2pm but due to the heavy downpour only a small number of people attended the game. A small but vocal crowd largely made up of primary school students from Sigatoka District School and St Joan of Arc Primary School.
Right from the get-go, Fiji started well. The big forward pack rumbled up the middle and with Mereoni Nakesa scoring the first try within 2 minutes into the game.
Making her international debut, Litiana Vueti had a good outing at full-back for the Fijiana. She was good under the high ball and covered the field well. Vueti showed quality evasive skills to sidestep through the Tongan defense line and scored Fiji’s second try. Clearance and territorial kicks were a bit of an issue for the young full-back. This is a good work-on for future games.
The Tongan Lofa’s looked shell-shocked most of the half and simply did not know how to counter the Fijian women.
A try by Prop Loraini Senivutu and half-back Setaita Railumu, and (2 tries) by Josifini Neihamu had virtually secured the victory for the Fijiana in just the half of the game.
However, all 6 first half tries were unconverted. Fiji led 30 – 0 at half time.
The rain drizzled once again in the second half making the conditions tougher for the women on both teams to perform at their best.
Center pairing Josifini Neihamu and Ema Adivitaloga bagged a try each, adding to the Fijiana points tally. This was Neihamu’s third try of the match.
Jade Coates continued her top performance. The Waikato Chiefs second rower is always a tireless workhorse in the trenches and ball winner in the lineouts.
On the other hand, the Tongan Lofa scrums and lineouts were still in complete disarray. It was sad to see them struggle trying to keep possesion. They finally scored a try through a series of ‘pick n go’. Loosehead prop Viviena Hingano powered over strongly for that one.
Other Fijiana debutants that made their appearance were flanker Manuqalo Naome Komaitai, winger Michella’e Stolz and fly half Salote Nailolo when they came in as replacements.
Komaitai carried the ball hard and was strong in attack. Stolz showed glimpses of quality off-the-mark speed, while Nailolo eyed for gaps in the Tongan defense line amidst dictating the plays for her team.
Komaitai and replacement prop Salanieta Nabuli sealed the game with a try each to conclude the Fijiana try-spree for the evening. There were only 2 successful conversions scored in the whole game. Both were kicked by Vueti.
Full time score Fiji 59 – Tonga 5.
Fijiana Captain Alfreda Fisher was delighted with the win saying, “Despite the weather, I really want to thank the Tongan team for giving us a good game. I also thank my team for executing our game plan and maintaining discipline out there on the field. Thank you for the effort”.
Tonga will play Samoa next Tuesday 10th of June. Fiji will then play Samoa next Saturday on the 14th of June.