Fijiana vs Super W powerhouses
The Fiji Airways Fijiana Women XVs side are set to undergo a historic Australian tour. They will play the Super W powerhouses the Reds and Waratahs, next month.
Fijiana will travel to Australia in early February to take on the two most successful sides from Australia’s domestic competition.
Queensland have a round one bye and will host the Fijiana on the first official weekend of Super W in Ballymore before the Fijian side heads to Sydney to take on the defending champions Waratahs in Sydney.
Fijiana will be part of the Women’s Rugby World Cup next year, the first time they have qualified for the tournament, and a chance to test themselves against some international opposition will be a big boost. Rugby AU head of women’s rugby Jilly Collins said she hoped the move would help the Fijian side and strengthen relationships between the two rugby nations.
“This is a great opportunity for Rugby Australia and Fiji Rugby to expand our already close relationship with Fiji’s tour,” she said.
“Women’s sport in Fiji continues to grow, and it is tours like this that will assist the development of Fiji’s national players and expand the friendships between our teams. “The Fijiana have a fantastic opportunity to continue to strengthen their ability as players heading into the Rugby World Cup in our region and inspire a whole new generation of young women and girls to play rugby and be physically active.
“On behalf of Rugby Australia I’d like to extend our welcome to the Fijiana and thank Department Foreign Affairs and Trade for their support of the tour and for enhancing the relationship between our two countries.”
FIXTURES
Fijiana international tour
February 16: Queensland Reds v Fiji, Ballymore Stadium; February 21: NSW Waratahs v Fiji, UNSW Fields Daceyville