The Rooster Chicken Fijiana 15s side beat the Manusina Samoa 31-24 in a thrilling match yesterday to claim the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship title at Massey Park in Papakura, Auckland, New Zealand.
The match displayed Pacific women’s rugby at its absolute best with great physicality.
Fiji was first on the scoreboard in the 17th minute when inside centre Raijieli Laqeretabua dived over for a try with winger Vitalina Naikore missing the conversion.
Five minutes later Samoa’s flyhalf Cassie Siataga slotted in a penalty 22 metres out from the Fijian tryline to keep them within a 5-3 reach.
In the 27th minute, crisp backline passing lead to winger Ilisapeci Delaiwau scoring a try in the corner with the conversion missed by Naikore.
Samoa’s number eight Nina Foaese was sin-binned after the try was scored.
Siataga slotted two more penalties in a span of three minutes to keep the scores close at 10-9 before winger Linda Fiafia dived over for a try before the halftime break. Siataga slotted in the conversion to give them a 16-10 lead at halftime.
Fiji hit back six minutes into the second half when flanker Akosita Ravato cashed over for a try with Naikore adding the extras, giving them a 17-16 lead. Ten minutes later Samoa winger Michelle Curry powered her way to the tryline after receiving an offload from Foaese.
Naikore was sent off for a high tackle on Curry and the conversion was missed by Siataga fir a 21-17 lead over Fiji.
In the 60th minute, prop Mereoni Vonosere barged her way through the Samoan defence to score with flyhalf Merewalesi Rokouono adding the extras to regain the lead 24-21.
Nine minutes later Siataga levelled the scores at 24-all with a penalty.
Replacement forward Vitalina Mirini was the team’s heroine when she shrugged off Masuisuimatamaalii Pauaraisa to dot down under the sticks with Wainikiti Vosadrau getting the final points in the match.
