DISCIPLINE and taking advantage of conversion opportunities are two key areas the Vodafone Fijiana XV have learnt from the 2025 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship as they count down to their Test against the USA Women’s Eagles tomorrow.
According to head coach Ioan Cunningham, he said the two areas were focused on the most since the United States might challenge them in these areas.
“There were some great learnings, our discipline is one. Trying to keep our penalty count down, but that comes with being accurate especially in our contact zones, and on the breakdown, that’s really important,” Cunningham said.
“And the other big learning was sort of converting our own opportunities, so we created some great opportunities.
“We didn’t execute or convert them, so that’s something we hopefully, we can improve on against USA.”
He shared these sentiments in a virtual press conference with the media yesterday, joined by Fijiana XV player Ilisapeci Delaiwau.
In the championship that took place at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka last month, the Fijiana XV defeated Samoa 24-20 to retain their title.
In their first match, they beat Tonga 54-5, running in 10 tries against the visitors.
Sharing how they held off their Samoan opponents at the time, he said they could grow off of that, when stating how the two key elements were areas the team could learn from.
“I did think we showed unbelievable growth in our toughness to defend long phases against Samoa, they challenge us with the ball a lot, and we stay tough in those phases, and we can grow off that.”
The match against the United States will kick off at 2.05pm Fiji time at the Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
