Fijiana XV fire early, flex depth in dominant 83–5 win over Tonga.
The Vodafone Fijiana XV team opened their Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship campaign in emphatic fashion, running in 13 tries to overpower Tonga women’s national rugby union team 83–5 at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Friday. It was a performance built on structure, speed, and clinical execution, particularly across the opening 60 minutes as Fiji raced to a 45–5 halftime lead and never looked back.
The hosts wasted no time asserting control, with debutant Aqela Raitubu crossing inside five minutes before Sulita Waisega and fellow debutant Charlotte Tuicikobia added quick-fire tries.
Despite a brief response from Tonga through Vika Fifita, Fiji’s attacking shape and discipline proved too much, with tries to Vika Nakacia, Merewairita Neivoha, Adi Salaseini Railumu, and a second to Raitubu blowing the game open before the break.
The match also marked a significant milestone for seven debutants — Varanisese Qoro, Aqela Raitubu, Charlotte Tuicikobia, Vilisi Tivalele, Charlotte Vosakiwaiwai, Vatiseva Cavuru, and Elesi Rotabaiwalu; highlighting the growing depth within the Fijiana programme.
Flyhalf Qoro led that charge with a standout debut, scoring 21 points and controlling the game with composure beyond her years.
Head coach Mike Legge was particularly impressed:
“I was really impressed with Qoro. She controlled the game really well, didn’t overplay her hand, and put people into space. Her kicking was pretty good too.”
Raitubu also made an immediate impact, finishing with a double, while Tuicikobia added her name to the scoresheet in an assured first outing.
Fiji continued to pile on points after the break through Karalaini Naisewa, Keleni Marawa, Qoro herself, Ivamere Rokowati (2), and Repeka Tove to seal the commanding 83–5 result.
However, despite the dominance, Legge pointed to a drop in standards late in the game, an area he wants addressed quickly.
“For the first 60 minutes we were really good with our structure. One of the biggest challenges was staying disciplined even when the score blows out — and we went away from that. We tried to go wide too early, poor passing, knock-ons… those little things we need to knuckle down on.”
Beyond the result, the match underlined Fiji’s growing squad depth — particularly in key playmaking roles. With Qoro impressing at flyhalf, alongside the return of Imeri and the versatility of Vatiseva Cavuru, Coac Legge believes competition is strengthening within the group.
“We’ve been looking at 10 as a weakness. Now we’ve got Qoro, Imeri coming back, and Cavuru, we’re starting to build some good depth.”
The influence of Fiji Rugby’s High Performance Unit and domestic competitions like the Marama Cup was also evident, with several players stepping seamlessly into the Test arena.
“In the past it was the same core group. Now we’re bringing in players from the Marama Cup, they understand high performance, they’re building their rugby IQ, and they know they have to work.”
While the scoreline sends a strong message to the rest of the competition, the focus within the Fijiana camp remains firmly on growth and consistency.
With tougher challenges ahead, including their next Test against Manusina, the message from the coaching staff is clear: dominance on the scoreboard must be matched by discipline and precision for the full 80 minutes.
For now, though, Fiji have laid down a powerful marker, blending experience with emerging talent in a performance that signals both present strength and future promise.
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OCEANIA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
VODAFONE FIJIANA XV v TONGA
Friday 17th April 2026
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Half-Time:45-5
FIJIANA XV (1-15): Karalaini Naisewa, Keleni Marawa, Adi Keri Lawavou, Karavaki Lutumaibau, Carletta Yee, Adi Salaseini Railumu, Alfreda Fisher (captain), Sulita Waisega, Evivi Senikarivi, Varanisese Qoro, Aqela Raitubu, Merewairita Neivoha, Vika Nakacia, Charlotte Tuicikobia, Ivamere Rokowati
RESERVES: Litia Marama, Elesi Rotabaiwalu, Tiana Robanakadavu, Vilisi Tivalele, Charlotte Vosakiwaiwai, Kolora Lomani, Vatiseva Cavuru, Repeka Tove
Tries: Raitubu (2), Rokowati (2), Waisega, Tuicikobia, Nakacia, Neivoha, Railumu, Naisewa, Marawa, Qoro, Tove
Conversion: Rokowati, Qoro (8)
TONGA (1-15): Vika Fifita, Jennifer Vea, Fusipala Vivili, Vinora Televave, Eseta Vuki, Haufa Halapio, Courtney Afeaki, Pritney Tuiaki (captain), Ana Ngahe, Tonga Tuiaki, Salome Cook, Siutiti Maake (vc), Salome Akolo, Allison Elone, Ofa Napaa Latu
RESERVES: Vola Ulutaufonua, Pelenaise Sandys, Lavenita Manase, Senitila Tatafu, Palolo Fotu, Aso Leapai, Felila Kolotau, Enisolo Fa
Try: Fifita
Match events
KO FIJI
5mins – TRY FIJI Raitubu; Conversion Rokowati – 7-0
8mins – TRY FIJI Waisega; Conversion Rokowati (missed) – 12-0
10mins – YELLOW CARD TONGA, Tuiaki
11mins – TRY FIJI Tuicikobia, Conversion Rokowati (missed) – 17-0
14 mins– TRY FIJI, Nakacia, Conversion Qoro; 24-0
17mins – TRY TONGA Fifita, Conversion Latu (Missed) – 24-5
21mins – TRY FIJI Neivoha; Conversion Qoro – 31-5
22mins –TRY FIJI Railumu; Conversion Qoro – 38-5
27mins – TRY FIJI Raitubu, Conversion Qoro – 45-5
31mins – YELLOW CARD TONGA, Televave
HALF-TIME
47mins – TRY FIJI Naisewa, Conversion Qoro – 52 -5
49mins – TRY FIJI Marawa, Conversion Qoro – 59 – 5
51mins – TRY, Qoro, Conversion Qoro – 66-5
55mins – TRY FIJI Rokowati, Conversion Qoro (missed); 71- 5
62mins – TRY Fiji Rokowati, Conversion (missed) Qoro; 76-5
74mins – TRY FIJI Repeka Tove; Conversion Qoro; 83-5
FULL TIME: FIJI 83 -5 TONGA