5 debutants in Fijiana XV for opener

Vodafone Fijiana head coach Ioan Cunningham has named a dynamic and youthful match-day 23 squad to take on Tonga in today’s Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship 2025 opener at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. The squad included five debutants. They are;

• Litiana Vueti – Fullback from Visoto, Ovalau, who previously played for Lautoka and was part of the Fijiana Drua squad.
• Salote Nailolo – A powerful back from Nakorolevu, Namara, Tailevu; she played for Ballantine Memorial School and Naitasiri Secondary before moving to Nasinu.
• Michella’e Stolz – Originally from Naselesele, Taveuni, Stolz developed her rugby in New Zealand.
• Selai Naliva – Hooker from Keyasi, Navosa. She featured for Suva Grammar in the school competition before moving to Striders Club and later to the Suva Provincial team.
• Manuqalo Noame Komaitai– Hailing from Bau Island and is a member of the British Army. She adds depth and versatility from the bench.

Cunningham highlighted the mix of experience and fresh talent in the squad:

“Selection is always a challenge,” he said.

“We’re looking at more than just talent — adaptability, mental toughness, and how players thrive in unfamiliar environments all come into play.

“We’ve seen how some players have grown from the Wallaroos match, and now we want to see continued progress in key areas like territory control and tackle accuracy.”

Several changes have been made from the last test against the Wallaroos. Bitila Tawake and Tiana Robanakadavu, who came off the bench in that match, will now start in the front row alongside Loraini Senivutu, who has forced her way into the starting XV.

Captain Alfreda Fisher shifts from number 6 to 7 and will once again lead the team.

Nunia Daunioala who didn’t play against the Australians will be at blindside flanker, offering greater mobility and linking play between forwards and backs.

Cunningham emphasised key improvement areas: “Against the Wallaroos, we had just 31 per cent territory and missed 41 tackles. We’ve set internal benchmarks— we want better territory stats, ideally 50 per cent or more, and to reduce missed tackles to under 15 per match. “

Line-up:

Vodafone Fijiana XV: 1. Loraini Senivutu, 2. Bitila Tawake, 3. Tiana Robanakadavu, 4. Jade Coates, 5. Mereoni Nakesa, 6. Nunia Daunioala, 7. Alfreda Fisher (captain), 8. Rusila Nagasau, 9. Setaita Railumu, 10. Salanieta Kinita, 11. Atelaite Buna, 12. Josifini Neihamu, 13. Ema Adivitaloga, 14. Repeka Tove, 15. Litiana Vueti.

Reserves: 16. Selai Naliva, 17. Salanieta Nabuli, 18. Bulou Wainikiti Vasuturaga, 19. Asinate Serevi, 20. Manuqalo Noame Komaitai, 21. Kolora Lomani, 22. Salote Nailolo, 23. Michella’e Stolz.

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj