Fijiana open Australian tour with a win over Reds

A good start to the Australian tour as Fiji Airways Fijiana edge out Queensland Reds 29-10 in their first match at Ballymore last weekend.

Fijiana hit the score board first as they kept possession and continue to drive forward before flanker Lavenia Tinai cross the score line and gave them a 5-0 lead.

Tinai scored her second try few minutes later after a break from Rusila Nagasau and with the support from Tinai who ran in for the try extending the lead 10-0.

Another 80m run in try from fullback Aloesi Nakodi with an insane pass from captain Sereima Leweniqila further extending their lead.

The Reds went for goal in the second quarter as Lavinia Gould kicked the penalty over the cross bar taking their team up by 3.

With the running play, offload and support plays gave Fijiana another try as centre Rusila Nagasau scored their fourth try right before the break to take a 22-3 lead to halftime.

The Queenslanders turned things around early in the second half, forcing an error from the kick-off and attacking for the opening 10 minutes before finally breaking through for a try.

Reds kept possession and forced the Fijiana to concede a penalty with Lavenia Tinai being given a yellow card after repeated infringements.

Fijiana did not take the refs warning too serious as winger Priscilla Siyata was also sin binned, with the Fijians left with just 13 women on the field.

The Reds took the advantage as they outnumbered the defence thus playing the ball wide and before Kauna Lopa crosses over for a try.

Fijana scored the final try as they followed through their structured play lock Akosita Ravato dived over for a try 29-10.

Fijiana captain Leweniqila thanked their coach and management as well as the team for all the effort put in on their first game.

“Just want to thank our hardworking coach and managements and all the girls for what have been achieved today, all the effort and hard work shown. We will continue with it as we look forward to our second game.”

Fijiana will take on the Waratahs women in Sydney on Friday.