Coming off a successful Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship outing last month, the Vodafone Fijiana XV say they’re ready and excited to face the USA Women’s Eagles this weekend after settling into Washington DC and completing two high-intensity training sessions.
The match scheduled for a 6.05am kick-off on Sunday (Fiji Time) at Audi Field forms part of Fijiana’s preparations for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, where they’ll compete in Pool B alongside Canada, Scotland, and Wales.
Speaking during a virtual media conference, Head Coach Ioan Cunningham described the squad’s first few days in the US as “really positive,” highlighting the team’s quick adjustment to the time difference and the energy brought by players from the Fijiana 7s program.
“We’ve had two great training days,” Cunningham said. “We are excited by the opportunity we’ve got to take on USA on Saturday in a great stadium with our preparation towards the World Cup.”
Among those boosting the squad are four Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s stars: Ilisapeci Delaiwau, Mere Vocevoce, Kelerayani Luvu, and Verenaisi Ditavutu. Their presence, Cunningham added, has created options with players competing fiercely for World Cup spots.
“The girls have adapted well. They have brought great intensity into our sessions.”
Though ranked lower than their opponents—Fiji sits 15th in the world while the USA is 9th—Cunningham said the team is not backing down from the challenge.
“They’re a quality team, full of passion and high energy. Some are playing in the PWR competition in England,” he said. “But we always have faith in our ability and our preparation going into every game. It’s going to be a different challenge to what we faced in Oceania for sure, but one that we are super excited about.
“I want our players going out there and expressing themselves and showing the world what we can do. We have got unbelievable, talented players within our group, and we have worked extremely hard and Saturday is an opportunity to go out and show that. So, if we get our execution right with the plans and the work we put in, I’m sure we will cause USA a lot of problems.”
When asked about player selection—with only 30 players of the 36-member extended squad making the trip, Cunningham said that no one was dropped but that the coaching team is using this series to trial different combinations in case of injuries or positional shifts at the World Cup.
Saturday’s match will double as a curtain-raiser to the USA vs England men’s test.
Travelling Squad:
Forwards: Loraini Senivutu, Bitila Tawake, Tiana Robanakadavu, Jade Coates, Mereoni Nakesa, Nunia Daunimoala, Salaseini Railumu, Manuqalo Komaitai, Salanieta Nabuli, Selai Naliva, Bulou Vasuturaga, Carletta Yee, Asinate Serevi, Alfreda Fisher, Rusila Nagasau, Lavenia Nauga-Grey, Keleni Marawa, Vika Matarugu, Karalaini Naisewa
Backs: Setaita Railumu, Salanieta Kinita, Mere Vocevoce, Josifini Neihamu, Ema Adivitaloga, Alowesi Nakoci, Kolora Lomani, Kelerayani Luvu, Atelaite Buna, Verenaisi Ditavutu, Luisa Tisolo, Salote Nailolo, Michella’e Stolz, Ilisapeci Delaiwau, Repeka Mata, Repeka Tove, Litiana Vueti
