Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s coach Saiasi Fuli confirmed over­seas-based women have shown interest in joining the team.

The team returned home last night with the Challenge Trophy after defeating England in the fi­nal in Sydney.

“Some women are contacting me confirming their interest because they saw a lot of changes and pas­sion in the team,”Fuli said.

“But for me it is trusting the girls here in Fiji, plan programme well and we can still go and play com­petitive and winning rugby in the next four tournaments.

“There have been minor inju­ries for two debutants, Akanisi Sokaiwasa and Tokasa Seniyasi who are both 19 years old.

“It is a baptism of fire and it’s good for them. I put then in the starting lineup in the first match against Canada.

“They were quite shocked but that’s the place for them. You don’t hold back anything you just trust your girls, trust the train­ing, put that kind of decision and look at the girls in the next 12 months, they should be okay to have the confidence and the expe­rience.

“It’s good there is balance, there are four U19 reps and seven that part of former coach Iliesa Tani­vula team.”

The team takes a two- day break before resuming training in Suva.

Fijiana finishes 10th on the Women Sevens Series standings with 9 points behind leaders New Zealand (60), USA (48), Canada (46), Australia (46), France (32), Ireland (30), Russia (28) England (19) Spain (13).

Edited by Osea Bola

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