THE biggest moments of Fiji’s first WXV Global Series Challenger title came from players who stepped forward when the final demanded it.
Merewairita Neivosa set the early tone, Selai Naliva provided the breakthrough when Fiji needed it most.
Varanisese Qoro delivered the decisive points as the Vodafone Fijiana XV beat the Netherlands 20-17 on Saturday evening at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground Hong Kong.
The victory completed Fiji’s unbeaten three-match campaign and secured the inaugural WXV Global Series Challenger title and added another significant chapter to the development of women’s rugby in the country.
Neivosa’s influence was evident from the opening stages.
The forward opened Fiji’s scoring as the Fijiana established their attacking rhythm and raced to a 12-0 lead. Her performance earned her Player of the Match honours in a final that demanded plenty from Fiji’s forwards.
The Netherlands gradually changed the momentum, with Elisabeth Boot scoring from a driving maul before halftime before Linde van der Velden and Pleuni Kievit crossed after the break to put the Dutch 17-12 ahead.
This moment marked when Naliva’s impact became crucial.
Having started on the bench, the replacement hooker was brought into the contest and responded with the try that brought Fiji level at 17-17 with 15 minutes remaining.
The pressure then shifted to Qoro running forth with momentum.
With the final still in the balance, the fly-half was presented with a late penalty opportunity and converted to restore Fiji’s lead at 20-17, a score the Fijiana protected until the final whistle.
Captain Kolora Lomani also played an important role in Fiji’s attacking movement, while the forwards continued to compete as the Netherlands increased the pressure around the breakdown and set piece.
Those contributions reflected the depth Fiji was able to draw on throughout the final.
The Fijiana have spent years building their place on the international stage, from their early Rugby World Cup appearances to the historic 2022 quarter-final run and the experience gained at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.
The title is another step in Fiji’s push to establish itself among the world’s leading women’s rugby nations, with the road now turning towards the 2027 regional qualification campaign and ultimately the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
