Fijiana 15’s has finished ninth at the Rugby World Cup (RWC) after coming in as the newcomers and 21st-ranked team at the start in New Zealand this month.

They lost two games, first against number one ranked England and last weekend against fourth placed France.

The Fijianas managed to secure their first World Cup win against South Africa and finished third in their pool with four points.

Fiji Rugby Chairman Commodore Humphrey Tawake said Fijianas’ participation at the RWC has ended with a lot of learnings and potential for the future growth of women’s rugby here.

“Vinaka vakalevu head coach Senirusi Seruvakula, coaching staff, management, and the team for a great outing at their first RWC. Fijiana has finished the RWC placed ninth overall. What an achievement!” said Commodore Tawake.

“Playing in its first 15s Women’s RWC, our players were exposed to a professional and high-performance environment. Such professional requirements were new to many of them with the majority having just played competitive rugby the past three years whilst a handful have had three years or more playing competitive domestic and international rugby.”

“The growth of women’s rugby in Fiji is attributed to the many women that have played and sacrificed a lot to be recognised over three decades.”

“Such commitments and sacrifice paved way for formal domestic women’s rugby competitions to commence in 2018.”

“FRU continues to witness the increased participation of our girls within our domestic competition and the pathway provided within our women’s rugby system in both 7s and 15s.

“The learnings from the RWC in NZ will definitely add value in growing and enhancing women’s rugby and at the same time providing the necessary technical support and
resources required for high performance.”

For Fiji Rugby, the road to the 10th Women’s 2025 RWC in the United Kingdom has commenced.

“It’s time to reflect and review our performance at the RWC in NZ and strategies for the future. An important key performance indicator is playing regular test fixtures against the other international women sides.

“World Rugby must be acknowledged and commended for the sup- port and resources committed to emerging rugby nations as Fiji into the future and in particular the 15’s competition and supporting FRU’s partnership with Rugby Australia for our women to participate in the 2023 Super W Championship.”

Source: FRU Media

Feedback: le0nec@fijisun.com.fj