Fijiana set for first-ever home Test against Wallaroos

RNZ News

02-05-2025

The Wallaroos Carys Dallinger (L) avoids a tackle from Fijiana's Bitila Tawake during the Women's Rugby match between the Australia's Wallaroos and Fiji's Fijiana at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney on May 20, 2023.
Photo:
AFP / Saeed Khan
The Fijian women's 15s team will have a tough one to handle when they host the Wallaroos for the first-ever Test match on Fijian soil in Suva on Saturday.
The visitors, who arrived in Fiji on Wednesday, have named a strong lineup, which includes Fijian heritage player Tabua Tuinakauvadra.
Fijiana have also named their strongest match-day 23 and a new captain in Fijiana Drua player, 20-year-old Alfreda Fisher, who becomes the youngest player to captain the national women's 15s team.
The two teams will battle at the National Stadium following the Super Rugby Pacific match between the Fijian Drua and Reds.
While new Fijiana head coach Ioan Cunnigham has been off the field because of sickness, Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has been helping Ifereimi Rawaqa to prepare for the match.
Rawaqa told reporters in Suva this week that they expect the Wallaroos to be tough but they have worked on their set-pieces and game plan to counter the experienced visitors.
"It's all about execution," the former Flying Fijian and current Fijiana Drua head coach said.
"We worked on our lineouts and other details. In terms of our preparations, everyone is okay, everyone is on the same page, and we're looking forward to Saturday."
Cunningham, who has joined the team after recovering from his sickness, said his selection of Fisher as captain may be surprising to some but the player has proven herself.
"Firstly, we're really excited and looking forward to this historic fixture," he said.
"Fisher being named captain is fantastic for her - she's been a standout individual in our group, leading by example. She's performed really well, especially with the Fijiana Drua in recent weeks, and we're incredibly proud of this opportunity for her."
Assisting Fisher as vice captain will be Vani Arei, who has recovered from her injury sustained during last year's World Cup Qualifier in Brisbane.
Former captain Bitila Tawake has been named on the bench but Olympic bronze medallist Rusila Nagasau packs down at number 8.
Cunnigham said they are happy with the match-day 23 selected.
The selected match day 23 blends youth with experience.
"We're really pleased with the team we've selected," Cunnigham said.
"We've spoken a lot about this opportunity to inspire, to go out there, enjoy the moment, and express themselves. This is still a key part of our journey towards the Rugby World Cup."
Fiji Rugby Union's operations and development general manager Sale Sorovaki said the Test clash is an important one for the Fijians, ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup in England.
"It's the first time the Wallaroos are on Fijian soil and as a rugby nation, we've had a lot of Test matches for the men, but having the Women's World Cup this year in England, it's great to see the Wallaroos coming to Fiji and taking on the Fijiana," Sorovaki told The Fiji Times in Suva this week.
"It's part of the build-up to the 2025 Rugby World Cup preparations for women, which will be held in England and these two teams have met on probably three occasions before."
When the two teams last met in Sydney on July 6, 2024, the Wallaroos thrashed Fijiana 64-5.
Two previous matches also went the Wallaroos way, a 22-5 win in 2023 and a 36-19 victory a year earlier.
Wallaroos at a training session in Suva. 30 April 2025
Photo:
Facebook / Wallaroos
Meanwhile, former Australian sevens star Charlotte Caslick is in line for her Wallaroos debut.
Coach Jo Yapp has named the player on the bench in his match-day 23, alongside fellow sevens star Tia Hinds.
The team have six potential debutantes in the team with Brumbies hooker Katalina Amosa - the sister of current Wallaby hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa - and Waratahs prop Faliki Pohiva named in the starting side.
Amosa's call-up will see her and Brandon become the latest brother-sister duo to play for Australia in 15s.
The Wallaroos will feature a number of players with Pasifika heritage, like Pohiva, who has been rewarded for a breakout season for New South Wales.
"Every player in line for a debut is deserving of their opportunity and this Test match will allow us to see some new combinations," Yapp said.
"There are plenty of inspiring stories with the new players coming in, as well as some who are returning from long term injury."
Siokapesi Palu, who has Tongan heritage, will skipper the side for this Test and the Pacific Four series.
"Siokapesi will lead us for this match and the Pacific Four series and the leadership group and players will support her," Yapp added.
"Fijiana will provide us with a huge challenge in their own country. The fan support will be on their side and we look forward to playing them here in Suva for the first time."
Fijiana v Wallaroos
Kick-off: 5pm Satruday 3 May
National Stadium, Suva
Fijiana:
1. Salanieta Nabuli, 2. Keleni Marawa, 3. Anasimeci Korovata, 4. Jade Coates, 5. Mereoni Nakesa, 6. Alfreda Fisher (Captain), 7. Adi Salaseini Railumu, 8. Rusila Nagasau, 9. Kolora Lomani, 10. Salanieta Kinita, 11. Aloesi Nakoci, 12. Josivini Naihamu, 13. Vani Arei (Vice captain), 14. Repeka Tove, 15. Luisa Tisolo
Bench: 16. Bitila Tawake, 17. Lavenia Gray, 18. Tiana Robanakadavu, 19. Merevesi Ofakimalino, 20. Karalaini Naisewa, 21. Setaita Railumu, 22. Ema Adivitaloga, 23. Atelaite Buna
Wallaroos:
1. Bree-Anna Browne, 2. Katalina Amosa, 3. Faliki Pohiva, 4. Michaela Leonard, 5. Tiarah Minns, 6. Siokapesi Palu (Captain), 7. Ashley Marsters, 8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 9. Layne Morgan, 10. Faitala Moleka, 11. Desiree Miller, 12. Cecilia Smith, 13. Bienne Terita, 14. Maya Stewart, 15. Caitlyn Halse
Bench: 16. Tania Naden, 17. Martha Fua, 18. Eva Karpani, 19. Ashley Fernandez, 20. Emily Chancellor, 21. Tia Hinds, 22. Trilleen Pomare, 23. Charlotte Caslick