Fiji prepares for Test matches against Scotland and the Netherlands and builds WXV3

The Fiji women’s rugby team plays against Tonga in Brisbane in May 2024.
photo: Oceania Rugby

Fiji’s women’s rugby team will play two Test matches in Europe next month – their first ever competition – as they prepare for the Dubai Women’s XV3 (WXV3) Championship.

The team will face Scotland and the Netherlands in September.

The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) said the team coached by Mosese Rauluni will face Scotland on September 15.

They then travel to the Netherlands to play their first match against the Orange in Amsterdam on September 19th.

The test is part of the Fiji 15-a-side football team’s preparations for the WXV 3 Championships in Dubai later this year.

Head coach Law Rooney said these two games are crucial for them.

“The focus in the first game was on Scotland but the primary goal for everyone was to win the WXV3 Championship and it was great to play a strong team like Scotland in the Women’s Six Nations Championship and an up-and-coming team like the Netherlands,” said the former Fiji Flyers captain.

“These Test matches give us an opportunity to prepare for the WXV3 competition. As we prepare for these Test matches, the team has added a number of women’s high performance unit players to the expanded squad.

“Scotland finished fourth in the Six Nations Championship earlier this year and won the WXV2 title in 2023 and we are looking forward to taking on them.

“Having qualified for WXV3 and in contention for a place at the Rugby World Cup, the Netherlands will offer a different style of rugby which will be vital in our preparations for the 2025 Rugby World Cup.”

Fiji will face stiff competition in the WXV3 Championship, with opponents including Hong Kong, Samoa and Spain.

The WXV3 tournament will begin on September 27th.