The Fiji Airways Fijiana XV was taught a rugby lesson by the NZ Black Ferns Development XV succumbing to a 53-0 whitewash in the feature match of the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship which kicked off at Lautoka’s Churchill Park today.
Played in humid conditions the visitors easily acclimatised to the weather running to a handsome 36-0 half time lead.
Coach Ro Alivereti Doviverata hinted post match that he was gauging the match fitness of his players and is silently optimistic of winning the Championship to qualify for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand with 16 teams pitting their rugby brains against each other.
Although the Fiji Airways Fijiana XV has been in earnest preparation for 6 weeks playing the NZ Black Ferns Development XV was a stern test and a great catalyst to iron out mistakes like basic ball handling skills, kicking for territory and discipline to overcome Tonga, PNG and firm favourites the Manusina to qualify as the top team.
NZ Black Ferns Development coach Wayne Maxwell congratulated the Fijian girls for a tough match and confided that the reason the NZ Black Ferns Development XV is participating as a marquee team alongside the Australian A squad is simply to add depth and act as a feeder team to the Black Ferns squad who basically are fringe Black Ferns.
In an earlier match the Ramsey Tomokino coached Manusina XV displayed scintillating rugby to demolish the ANZ Papua New Guinea Palais XV 65-12 in a ten try-fest.
The Manusina led 46-0 at half time. ANZ Papua New Guinea Palais coach John Pangkatana revealed that women’s rugby in 15s is a relatively new sport and only two years old hence their participation is a stepping stone for the future and a great learning experience to develop their rugby knowledge.
