Fiji blitz Colombia in WXV opener

Fiji outclassed Colombia in the historic opening match of the inaugural WXV tournament on Friday. An 11-try blitz saw the Pacific Island nation cruise to a 67-13 victory at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai.

Coming into the match the Fijians were ranked just six spots above Colombia at 19th in the world, but the combination of size, speed, and skill was far too much for Las Tucanes. By halftime the score stood 31-3 with Colombia’s only points coming by way of a María Arzuaga penalty goal.

Karalaini Naisewa scored just two minutes into the second half and from there on Fiji scored at regular intervals, with Merewai Cumu the last to touch down on full-time. Las Tucanes did at least get a consolation try, appropriately from captain Camila Lopera just three minutes before the final whistle.

Fiji are back in action next Friday against Spain, who celebrated a 32-nil result over Kenya in their first match. Colombia face another difficult task with 11th-ranked Ireland on Saturday. The Irish clobbered Kazakhstan by 109-nil on Friday.

 

SCORING

FIJI 67
Tries (11) – M. Nakesa (4′), S. Waisega 2 (22′, 47′), V. Arei 2 (25′, 67′), A. Korovata (32′), L. Tisolo (35′), K. Naisewa (42′), A. Milinia (54′), M. Neivosa (70′), M. Cumu (80′)
Cons (6) – L. Tisolo 6/10 (5′, 23′, 26′, 43′, 55′, 71′), M. Cumu 0/1
YC (1) – L. Tisolo (59′)

COLOMBIA 13
Tries (1) – C. Lopera (77′)
Cons (1) – M. Arzuaga 1/1 (78′)
Pens (2) – M. Arzuaga 2/2 (30′, 60′)

 

TEAMS

FIJI
1 Ana Korovata (17 Tiana Robanakadavu 55′), 2 Bitila Tawake (16 Unaisi Lalabalavu 55′), 3 Karalaini Naisewa (18 Salanieta Nabuli 55′), 4 Doreen Narokete (19 Nunia Delaimoala 55′), 5 Mereoni Nakesa, 6 Merevesi Ofakimalino, 7 Sulita Waisega (23 Merewairita Neivosa 68′), 8 Sereima Leweniqila (capt.) (20 Adi Rotagavira 68′), 9 Setaita Railumu (21 Evivi Senikarivi 68′, 10 Jennifer Ravutia (22 Merewai Cumu 55′), 11 Iva Suaria, 12 Vani Arei, 13 Salanieta Kinita, 14 Adita Milinia, 15 Luisa Tisolo

COLOMBIA
1 Tatiana Delgado (17 Natalia Barajas 48′), 2 Camila Cardona (16 Silvia Olave 45′), 3 Carolina Naranjo (18 Gisel Gómez 58′), 4 Paola Delgado, 5 Laura Gutierrez (19 Sara Vélez 55′), 6 Valeria Muñoz, 7 Ángela Alzate (20 Tatiana Hernández 55′), 8 Valentina Álvarez, 9 Laura Noguera (21 Stefania Sarmiento 76′), 10 Camila Lopera (capt.), 11 Juliana Soto, 12 Isabel Ramírez, 13 Maribel Mestra, 14 Leidy García (23 Angie Manyoma 55′), 15 María Arzuaga

Not used: 22 Luisa Zurique

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Amelia Luciano (USA)
Assistants: Adele Roberts (Belgium) & Sunny Lee (Hong Kong)
TMO: Andrew Hosie (Canada)

 

Venue: The Sevens Stadium, Dubai