Japan-based Aloesi Nakoci was in devastating form as she spearheaded the Fiji Airways Fijiana women’s sevens side’s attacks as they thrashed Papua New Guinea 54-0 in Brisbane, Australia, yesterday.

The big win saw the Fijiana side qualify for next year’s Paris Olympic Games in France.

Captain Ana Maria Naimasi said they played to their best, right to the last whistle.

“We followed what our coach told us,” the victorious captain said.

“We learned from our mistakes made against Samoa.

“We’ve had faith but we had to work hard to qualify.”

The Fijiana side won bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.

Nakoci scored two converted tries in the first half while Naimasi scored a converted try to lead 21-0 at halftime. The Fijians pinned PNG on their try-line with their strong defence as they ran in converted tries to Reapi Ulunisau, Ilisapeci

Delaiwau and veteran Rejeli Daveua to bring the scores to 42-0.

Then Marica Rokotuisiga scored her first try, which was not converted before Ulunisau scored her second try, which was converted for a 54-0 win.

Meanwhile, Samoa made history in the men’s competition as they qualified, for the first time, for the Olympic Games. The Samoans walloped Papua New Guinea 24-0.

“With God, this is possible,” Samoan player BJ Lima said.

The Brian Lima-coached side had been training in Fiji for the past two weeks at the sand dunes in Sigatoka.

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