Canada ready for World Cup after win over Fiji

Canada wrapped up their World Cup preparations with a 24-7 win over Fiji in Suva on Friday. The two sides were deadlocked after 40 minutes but tries from Sara Kaljuvee, Maddy Grant, Tyson Beukeboom, and finally Gillian Boag led the visitors to victory.

Full details are still to be revealed. Below is a match summary courtesy of the Fiji Rugby Union.

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Fijiana stood tall in the defense and held a heavy Canadian forward pack in the first half. Canada has a lot of opportunities but failed to capitalize and Fijiana managed to keep them at bay.

A mistake by the Fijiana at the beginning of the second half saw Canada run through their opening try, scored by Sara Kaljuvee. It just took minutes as Fijiana bounced back and leveled it up after Sesenieli Donu broke the opponents’ defense and delivered it to Akanisi Sokoiwasa who dived in for a try. Canada then mounted pressure and scored three more tries to seal the match.

Fijiana 15s Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula said they have taken out a lot of learning from the match and will try and improve before their first Rugby World Cup match.

“We made a lot of mistakes and we need to iron that out and get ready for tougher opponents. Some decision-making was also not up to par which gave Canada chances to dominate and bag tries.”

 

SCORING

FIJI 7
Tries – A. Sokoiwasa
Cons – A. Other 1/1

CANADA 24
Tries – S. Kaljuvee, M. Grant, T. Beukeboom, G. Boag
Cons – A. Other 2/4

 

TEAMS

FIJI
1 Joma Rubuti, 2 Bitila Tawake, 3 Mereoni Vonosere, 4 Asinate Serevi, 5 Merevesi Okafimalino, 6 Karalaini Waisewa, 7 Ema Adivitaloga, 8 Sereima Leweniqila (capt.), 9 Lavena Cavuru, 10 Merewalesi Rokouono, 11 Vitalina Naikore, 12 Raijieli Laqeretabua, 13 Sesenieli Donu, 14 Ana Maria Naimasi, 15 Alowesi Nakoci

Replacements: 16 Jiowana Sauto, 17 Iris Verebalavu, 18 Bulou Vasuturaga, 19 Raijieli Daveua, 20 Rusila Nagasau, 21 Kolora Lomani, 22 Akanisi Sokoiwasa, 23 Roela Radiniyavuni

CANADA
1 Brittany Kassil, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Courtney Holtkamp, 5 McKinley Hunt, 6 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Brianna Miller, 10 Julia Schell, 11 Alysha Corrigan, 12 Sara Kaljuvee, 13 Anaïs Holly, 14 Maddy Grant, 15 Elissa Alarie

Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Mikiela Nelson, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 Tyson Beukeboom, 20 Emma Taylor, 21 Gabrielle Senft, 22 Alex Tessier, 23 Taylor Perry

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Amber McLachlan (Australia)