However, the Saiasi Fuli-coached side had a slow start to hold a slender 10-0 lead at halftime. After a strong pep talk they ran in 38 unanswered points in the second spell.

Former Auckland Warriors women’s rugby league winger Roela Radiniyavuni stood out in defence and showed her speed to outpace the Vanuatu players time and again.

ROOKIES SHINE IN WET

Defending Oceania men’s 7s champions the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team started their campaign by thrashing Niue 57-0 yesterday.

The Fijians started well as they ran in tries to Kavekini Tabu, Josua Vakuranabili, Waisea Nacuqu and Rusiate Matai. Nacuqu landed the conversions for a commanding 26-0.

Head coach Gareth Baber said despite the rainy conditions the team managed to perform well.

“It’s been a bit of a wet conditions we only want dry conditions to play the game that we love but we have to adapt to the slippery conditions,” he said.

“Those facets of the game that we needed to be strong and we were good for.”

Baber believed the performance of youngsters Tabu, Simione Kuruvoli and Rusiate Matai are yet to be tested.

“It’s early to tell, they’ve only played one game for Fiji obviously we want to see them have tougher challengers than that,” he said.

“They both did their jobs well in this one so the challenge is when you are under pressure.”

Fiji were ruthless in the second spell and dominated the game right to the final whistle with tries to veteran forward Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Napolioni Ratu, Kuruvoli, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Apenisa Cakaubalavu. Kuruvoli kicked over the conversions.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

Oceania 7s Results

DEAF: Samoa 5-5 Fiji Totokia, Fiji NaiUla 27- 17 Kiakavou

WOMEN: Samoa 21-19 Cook Islands; PNG 52- 0 Tonga; Nauru vs Solomons; Fiji vs Vanuatu

MEN: Tonga 29- 5 American Samoa, Australia 52- 7 Vanuatu, Cook Islands 31-19 Tuvalu, Samoa 33- 7 PNG, NZ 57-0 New Caledonia, Fiji 57- Niue, Tonga 34-10 Vanuatu, Nauru 14-17 American Samoa, Cook Islands 5-17 PNG, Solomons