Fijiana defeated Hong Kong China, 38-3, in their first WXV3 match.
Vodafone Fijiana 15’s first five eight Salanieta Kinita runs with the ball during their WXV 3 2024 match against Hong Kong China at The Sevens 2 Stadium on Sep-tember 29, 2024 (Fiji time) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo: World Rugby
The Vodafone Fijiana XV side’s sterling performance against Hong Kong China yesterday morning (Fiji time) sets the pace for their next WXV3match against Samoa on October 12 in Dubai.
The Mosese Rauluni side thrashed HK China 38-3 in their opening match.
“We were very lazy in the first half as we gave our opponents a lot of possession and penalties,” Rauluni said.
“We sort of capitalised a little bit more in the second half but there were still little mistakes that put pressure on us.”
Rauluni was happy to get a favourable result against Hong Kong China following their back-to-back Test match losses to Scotland 15-59 and Netherlands 10-12.
“The win gave the players confidence moving forward to a tough game against Samoa in two weeks,” he said.
“We’ll need good set-pieces against Samoa; our physicality around ball carries and de-fense need to be better.”
Double try scorer and captain Karalaini Naisewa commended positively about their performance.
“The weather conditions in Dubai are the same at home and we’ll try to improve our er-rors next week,” Naisewa said.
“Samoa is not an easy game; we’ll try to come out strong.”
Naisewa said the players need to lift their fitness to win their next match.
Prop Anasimeci Korovata powered over the Hong Kong China defense to get the Fiji’s first try for a five-nil lead, Luisa Tisolo missed the conversion.
Sevens speedster Kolora Lomani scored the second try through a well-orchestrated attack while Tisolo missed again, for a 10 – 0 lead.
Hong Kong China fly half Fung Hoi Ching nailed a penalty between the crossbar for 10 – 3.
Naisewa scored from a maul topped with Tisolo’s successful kick to extend their lead to 17 – 3.
Winger Repeka Tove crossed over the line in the corner for Fiji’s fourth try, Tisolo converted for the Fijianas to lead 24 – 3.
Flanker Sulita Waisega dove over the tryline while Tisolo nailed the conversion, 31 – 3.
Naisewa scored her second try from another maul, Tisolo added another 3 for the final 38 – 3 score.
Meanwhile, the national under-18 schoolboys defeated Australia, 26-14, in their first match at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka last Saturday.
Their second match will be at 3pm tomorrow.
Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola
