HISTORY will be made at HFC Bank Stadium today when the Vodafone Fijiana XV host Springbok Women for the first time on Fijian soil in an international Test kicking off at 1pm.
The match also marks the first outing for the new Fijiana XV coaching group and the opening fixture of a two-Test series against the Springbok Women. The second Test will be played next week at Churchill Park in Lautoka, giving Fiji another opportunity to measure itself against one of the world’s leading women’s rugby nations.
Leading the side into the historic encounter is captain Kolora Lomani, who believes the occasion is another major step forward for women’s rugby in Fiji.
“We’re pretty excited,” Lomani said during Friday’s captain’s run.
“It’s a historical game for us. First time ever for us to host South Africa in Fiji, so we’re looking forward to it, and we’re expecting a hard game as well from the South African team.”
While the occasion is significant, Lomani knows her side cannot afford to be distracted once the whistle blows.
“We’re just focusing on the collision of the game. They’re a strong team and we’re not taking them lightly,” she said.
“The first 20 minutes of the game we have to come hard and not let them walk over us. We’re going to have to play hard and spread the ball out wide when we can.”
Today’s test is part of a festival of rugby alongside the Vodafone Deans competition, allowing hundreds of secondary school players to witness elite international women’s rugby firsthand.
Lomani believes the occasion will inspire the next generation.
“It’s a very good exposure for rugby here in Fiji. To see the young girls coming through and the boys playing before and after us, it’s a good experience to see what it’s like to be in this environment.”
The match will also see Adi Vani Buleki (wing) and Ruth Raketekete (inside centre) make their Fijiana XV debuts after earning starting spots through consistent performances.
“They’ve earned their spot to start,” Lomani said.
As the anticipation builds, the skipper has called on supporters to fill HFC Bank Stadium.
“To all our supporters, our friends and our family, we’d love to see you out in numbers, not just to watch us, but to support the Deans competition as well.”
For the Fijiana XV, today is about more than making history. It is an opportunity to showcase how far women’s rugby in Fiji has come while taking on one of the sport’s toughest international opponents on home soil.
