Fijiana to step up: Cunningham

The Fijiana XVs will need to be physical against Scotland in their second Women's Rugby World Cup Pool B match at Salford Community Stadium, Manchester, at 1:45am tomorrow (Fiji time).

Head coach loan Cunningham said the side was still hurt from their 6-75 loss against Canada and this would be another challenge for them.

Alfreda Fisher will captain the Fijiana while Bitila Tawake will be vice-captain.

Cunningham has named experienced Vika Matarugu to start at tighthead prop after impressing off the bench.

Michella'e Stolz and experienced campaigner Alowesi Nakoci are charged with posing Scotland a threat on the wings while Verenaisi Ditavutu starts at outside centre, bringing physicality to the mid-field.

"But one big area I think we've got to step-up will be the physical side," Cunningham said.

"I thought Scotland outmuscled Wales a little bit, especially in how they carried the ball and also defensively

Fijiana XVs side.

"So if we get our nuts and bolts right, early on, It'll really set us up to show our skill with the offload game."

Asked by World Rugby Media on his familiarity with Scotland, Cunningham said: "I'm still 4-1 up against Bryan (Ensson, Scotland head coach). Don't tell him that! Scotland are in a good place, I thought they were excellent against Wales. They moved the ball to width really well, and the 10 and 12 combination, I think they work really well with each other. One can step up and be the ball player while the other one kicks and they can swap roles and I think they've got a good cohesion there, which is a great strength for Scotland."

He added that the side has been training well after relocating to Manchester from York, however it was unfortunate to lose Ilisapeci Delaiwau to injury. Delaiwau will be replaced by Repeka Mata.

Cunningham said he is trying to create a good balance between the super strength of the team, their natural ability of an offload game and playing that free spirit.

"Getting the balance right that we don't overplay, and feed opposition turnover ball, to allow them to capi-talise on that. That's been a chal-lenge and something I think we've improved on. And also understanding potentially a bit more about how territory can win you matches.

"Knowing the Northern Hemisphere style of play, where kicking, territory's coached a lot more, and that's something that I've tried to develop within the team.

Cunningham despite their loss against Canada, there were a lot of positive takeaways.

"Everyone's hurting. It was a tough loss. When you break the game up and you look at some of

the aspects of our attack and some of our defence work, there are loads of positives to take out of it.

"That's something that we have focused on this week. If we can string more minutes together, like we showed, especially when we scored the try, where we found our shape and got into what we've been doing with the last five, six weeks, then we'll trouble sides with that."

Line-Ups:

Fiji: 1. Loraini Senivutu, 2. Bitila Tawake, 3. Vika Matarugu, 4. Jade Coates, 5. Mereoni Nakesa, 6. Nu-nia Daunimoala, 7. Alfreda Fisher (captain), 8. Manugalo Komaitai,

9. Setaita Railumu, 10. Salanieta Kinita, 11. Michella'e Brigid Stolz,

12. Josifini Neihamu, 13. Verenaisi Ditavutu, 14. Alowest Nakoci, 15. Litiana Vueti.

Substitutes: 16. Keleni Marawa,

17. Karalaini Naisewa, 18.Tlana Robanakadavu, 19. Carletta Yee, 20. Sulita Waisega, 21. Kolora Lomani. 22. Kelerayant Luvu, 23. Adi Salote Nailolo 

Scotland: 1. Leah Bartlett, 2. Ells Martin, 3. Elliann Clarke, 4. Emma Wassell, 5. Sarah Bonar, 6. Rachel Malcolm, 7. Rachel McLachlan, 8.

Evie Gallagher, 9. Leia Brebner-Holden, 10. Helen Nelson, 11. Francesca McGhie, 12. Lisa Thomson, 13. Emma Orr, 14. Rhona Lloyd, 15. Chloe Rollie.

Substitutes: 16, Molly Wright, 17 Anne Young, 18. Lisa Cockburn, 19. Adelle Ferrie, 20. Eva Donaldson. 21. Alex Stewart, 22. Catty Mattin-son, 23. Beth Blacklock.