The Vodafone Fijiana XV are locked in and ready as they prepare to face Tonga in their opening match of the 2025 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship next Saturday at Lawaqa Park.
Veteran forward Bitila Tawake, back in the squad after missing last year’s tournament due to injury, says the team knows what’s at stake especially with Fiji hosting the tournament.
“Preparations are going so far so good. Everyone’s trying to come together as one. It’s huge because we’re hosting and also heading into a World Cup year. The pressure’s real, but we’re ready,” she said.
The squad features several new players this year, and Tawake is impressed with what they bring.
“It’s good new injections, new flavours. Just look out for those new players. They’re settling in well,” she said.
With competition heating up for World Cup spots, even those not selected are staying in the fight.
“Everyone took the selections well. Those not picked are still training. No one’s giving up.”
Tawake sees the opening game against Tonga as an important warm-up for the highly anticipated clash with Samoa, their Pacific rivals.
“Tonga is a good build-up. But Samoa it always feels like a final. We’re both going to the World Cup, and we both want to win. It’s going to be big.”
“Our biggest work-on is our finishing, especially off our set-pieces. That and tightening up our defence.”
On new leader Alfreda Fisher, Tawake is supportive.
“It’s good to have someone else lead. It’s a learning curve for her, and the seniors are helping. She’s doing well under pressure.”
