It has been a learning experience for the Rooster Chicken Fijiana rugby players after their three month tour of Australia.

Firstly, playing as the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua, they defied all odds to win the Super W title in their debut year.

The Senirusi Seruvakula-coached side had an unbeaten run in the competition as they beat teams like New South Wales (NSW) Waratahs, Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies, Western Force and Melbourne Rebels.

The Fijiana Drua ended Waratahs 20-match winning run and their four-year reign in the Super W competition. This sent shockwaves in the women’s rugby world.

Soon after that, they had to put on their Rooster Chicken Fijiana XVs jumper to play in the Tri-Series clash against the Australian Wallaroos and Japan.

Although they lost 34–21 to Japan and 36–19 to the Wallaroos, Fijiana XVs captain, Sereima Leweniqila said, they had taken a lot of positives from the two Test matches.

“There’s a big difference between Super W and Test level, we had to step-up a bit,” Leweniqila said.

In actual fact, it’s the first time for our women to taste what it’s like to be playing competitively, week in and week out.

And also the need to quickly lift their game to a higher level, within a matter of days.

Seruvakula further tested them by including new players to the squad for the Tri Series where they had to work on their combination and at the same time understand the way they play.

It was tough but it had to be done.

This was the sort of experience, money can’t buy.

The focus is to better prepare our women for the Rugby World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand from October 8 to November 12.

The experience gained and what they have learned, Leweniqila says, have made them confident.

Losing to the Wallaroos and Japan, is deemed as a blessing in disguise for our Fijiana XVs campaign.

It will make them work harder as they have experienced what it is like at Test level.

Seruvakula has already laid the challenge that only the best players will be taken to the World Cup, which is less than five months away.

It’s now time to up the tempo in terms of our preparations.

All celebrations regarding the Super W win should be best put on hold.

We’re in a tough pool where we face two-time World Cup winners England, France and South Africa.

If we prepare well now, then definitely we can do well at the World Cup.

Stay focused and we will surely overcome all challenges that come our way.
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj