A gallant performance by the Rooster Chicken Fijiana 15s side was not enough to beat a much fancied Canada outfit losing 7-24 in their Test match at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium on Friday night.
It was tough against the world No.3 ranked team and coach Senirusi Seruvakula and his players knew that from the first whistle.
Canada dominated possession and mostly camped inside the Fijian 22 for most of the first spell.
However, excellent defence in the first spell saw the teams tied 0-0 at halftime.
It was an error by the Fijians which gifted the visitors the first try. Sara Kaljuvee pounced on a loose ball to score the first try minutes into the second spell.
The try somehow motivated the Fijiana side and after a series of attacks, Akaknisi Sokoiwasa collected a pass from Sesenieli Donu who had intercepted the ball inside her own half and scooted towards the tryline.
A successful conversion from an acute angle by halfback Merewalesi Rokouono tied the scores at 7-all.
Mistakes at lineout and not being able to clear the ball from their own rucks cost the Fijian in the last quarter as Canada piled on the points.
Canada scored two more tries while the referee awarded them a penalty try as well which saw the match end 24-7.
Teams:
- Fiji: 1 Joma Rubuti, 2 Bitila Tawake, 3 Mereoni Vonosere, 4 Asinate Serevi, 5 Merevesi Okafimalino, 6 Karalaini Waisewa, 7 Ema Adivitaloga, 8 Sereima Leweniqila (capt.), 9 Lavena Cavuru, 10 Merewalesi Rokouono, 11 Vitalina Naikore, 12 Raijieli Laqeretabua, 13 Sesenieli Donu, 14 Ana Maria Naimasi, 15 Alowesi Nakoci. Replacements: 16 Jiowana Sauto, 17 Iris Verebalavu, 18 Bulou Vasuturaga, 19 Raijieli Daveua, 20 Rusila Nagasau, 21 Kolora Lomani, 22 Akanisi Sokoiwasa, 23 Roela Radiniyavuni
- Canada: 1 Brittany Kassil, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Courtney Holtkamp, 5 McKinley Hunt, 6 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Brianna Miller, 10 Julia Schell, 11 Alysha Corrigan, 12 Sara Kaljuvee, 13 Anaïs Holly, 14 Maddy Grant, 15 Elissa Alarie. Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Mikiela Nelson, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 Tyson Beukeboom, 20 Emma Taylor, 21 Gabrielle Senft, 22 Alex Tessier, 23 Taylor Perry.
