Women's Rugby World Cup: Fijiana and Manusina in for more tough matches

Finding the strength to stand up again and fight on has been Fijiana's and Manusina's focus following their heavy opening round defeats at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England.

Fiji were handed a 65-7 beating by Canada in York on Sunday morning (NZT), while a few hours earlier Samoa suffered the same fate at the hands of the Wallaroos, losing 73-0.

The two teams have similar challenges this weekend, when round two kicks-off.

In Manchester, where the Samoans were beaten, the Fijians are preparing to face Scotland.

Samoa move to Northampton, where they face host England.

Both matches are early Sunday morning (NZT).

Tough weekend

Fijiana hooker Bitila Tawake told the reporters the match against Canada was tough, with their opposition clearly displaying why they are ranked No 2 in the world.

But she was proud of the players for their fighting spirit.

"It was physical, there were a lot of sore bodies out there but we're positive going into the next game and just making sure our drive is good," she said.

"It's been a dream for all of us. It's amazing to see our debutantes at the weekend for their first Rugby World Cup and to see them sing the national anthem with pride and tearing up a bit as we were walking through the tunnel.

"We're playing at a world stage and we're proud to represent our nation. We've put in the hard work over the last four years and we know how it went at the last World Cup and we're trying to make it a better one this year."

Lone try-scorer Kolora Lomani said it was a thrilling experience scoring in the game, and believes the team needs to keep improving.

"Coming onto the second-half, I felt the energy coming off the girls. The hard work came from the middle with the forwards running and taking it up and they were able to create the space on the outside for us getting the score," she said of Fijiana try.

"It's probably the first try I've scored because I normally play scrum-half, where I just deliver the ball, but to be able to go back to my old position on the wing and get that try felt amazing for me.

"Having the Fijian community there and having other supporters there for us kind of felt like we were playing at home. Having that try as well and having the crowd behind us felt really good.

"Coming out of a tough game it's always nice to have encouragement from within the team. We're away from family so to be helpful and encouraging within our group is something that will help us stay together."

Player Michella'e Stolz, who shared a letter she penned for the team at their Sunday morning church service, said the players showed a lot of warrior spirit.

"I felt like we just needed a word of encouragement with everything going on around us," she said.

"I just wanted to let them know that the results don't define our team. Sometimes you just need to hear that encouragement from people and I just wanted to give that to my team and let them know how proud I am of them and how proud I feel to be apart of the team."

Head coach Ioan Cunningham said they understood what they were getting into at the World Cup.

He said many do not understand the challenge the players face and the team is happy to retain their underdog status.

"From the outside, potentially people would look at it on paper as Fijiana are the underdogs," he told reporters.

"We trust our process, our system and we trust each other to go and deliver a performance that will make us proud.

"We showed at times against Canada that we can really mix it with the best. That's really encouraging and we take massive confidence from that this weekend."

Cunningham has retained the core of the team that played Canada, with some changes to the bench.

Vika Matarugu earns a start at tighthead prop after impressing off the bench last weekend, with Michella'e Stolz and experienced campaigner Alowesi Nakoci also coming into the starting lineup at wing.

Verenaisi Ditavutu starts at outside centre, bringing physicality to the midfield.

The major setback for the side is the absence of winger Ilisapeci Delaiwau, who has left the Fijian camp due to a hand injury picked up during the first half of their opening match against Canada.

Repeka Mata has replaced her in camp. Alfred Fisher leads the side again for the second time at the event.

Fijiana v Scottland

Kick-off at 1.45am Sunday, 31 August

Salford Community Stadium, Manchester

Fijiana: 1. Loraini Senivutu, 2. Bitila Tawake, 3. Vika Matarugu, 4. Jade Coates, 5. Mereoni Nakesa, 6. Nunia Daunimoala, 7. Alfreda Fisher (captain), 8. Manuqalo Komaitai, 9. Setaita Railumu, 10. Salanieta Kinita, 11. Michella'e Brigid Stolz, 12. Josifini Neihamu, 13. Verenaisi Ditavutu, 14. Alowesi Nakoci, 15. Litiana Vueti; Bench: 16. Keleni Marawa, 17. Karalaini Naisewa, 18. Tiana Robanakadavu, 19. Carletta Yee, 20. Sulita Waisega, 21. Kolora Lomani, 22. Kelerayani Luvu, 23. Adi Salote Nailolo.

Disappointed but positive

In Northampton, the Manusina team have been reflecting on their first game against the experienced Australians and what they need to do against an equally experienced opponent in world number one, England.

Head coach Ramsey Tomokino, Fa'asua Makisi and twin sisters Christabelle and Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa reflect on the defeat by Australia, their rugby journeys and Saturday's challenge when they play hosts England at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton.

Tomokino revelaed they were disappointed in themselves when they could not get rolling on their own game in the 40 minutes.

He said the score was not a reflection of who we are or how we normally would play, adding the team threw their game plan out the window in the first half.

"We had a stern review with the players, but on reflection, it was a massive occasion, and I think the occasion probably got to our players," he told reporters.

"We're not used to playing in stadiums of that size in front of that many people. I just think the whole atmosphere and the occasion maybe overwhelmed a few of our players. We started slow, we made some errors, and then we compounded them and dug ourselves a hole and couldn't get out of it initially.

"Certainly, we were disappointed we didn't give a better account of ourselves in our first World Cup game, which is what we were hoping and wanting to do.

"It was a special occasion with all these players making their World cup debut. We haven't been at a World Cup since 2014. We've been building towards it for a long time and you can't take that away from them, they've had a World Cup match under their belt now. It was fantastic that we're able to do that."

He fully understands the challenge they face against England, who he believes are the pinnacle team now.

He said they had hpped they would not meet England at the world cup pools but "it's an honour to be able to play England".

"We're in a tough pool, but that's just the way that it rolled," he said.

"Look, we've got a group of girls whose goal is to not just get to this World Cup, but to be at World Cups to come and there'll be a group that will probably feature in the next few World Cups, hopefully.

"We always talk about it's not the size of the dog, but the size of the fight in the dog, and we enjoy that tag because you know that builds into our DNA in terms of being fighters and being physical as a team."

Player Fa'asua Makisi, whose mum is in England to surprise her, said she was over the moon to see her after the game against the Wallaroos.

"My mum came and surprised me. I thought I had no family here for the game and I mentally prepared for that but I didn't actually see her until the end of the game," she said.

"She had flown in at 8am from New Zealand and probably had zero sleep and came straight to the stadium. When I saw her at the end of the game - one of my friends made up some lie to get me to go over to the stand and when I saw her, she was holding up a flag behind her and I screamed.

"It was a natural response. I couldn't believe she was here in England and I fully had an emotional breakdown in front of the crowd."

"My mum has been my rock and she's been one of the main reasons I've been able to come here and to see her here was really overwhelming, but happy tears for sure!"

Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, whose twin sister Christabelle also plays with Manusina, said they have been competitive, "but definitely motivating as well because you don't want it to be one twin makes the team, and the other one doesn't".

"So, we always try to put our best foot forward. We always wanted the same goal. We've always wanted to make the same teams and then we always seem to make the same teams," she said.

"It's amazing to always have someone that close to you be on the big stage, it's amazing doing that, and I wouldn't be here without her."

She said beeing able to play against "the best of the best" at the world cup is an experience she will appreciate forever.

"Our team is coming in like after a decade of not being in the World Cup and we are definitely proud of the girls. For our last game last week against Australia we lost but we got the crowd going."

Tomokino has handed eight Rugby World Cup debuts to his squad for the match against England at Franklin's Gardens in the second round.

Twins Christabelle and Demielle Onesemo start a test match together for the first time.

The experienced Linda Fiafia has been named on the left wing and Nina Foaese at number eight.

Joanna Fanene is unavailable because of injury and Melina Salale is serving a two-week suspension.

The team's 23rd player is yet to be confirmed.

Manusina v England

Kick-off: 4am Sunday, 31 August

Franklin's Gardens, Northampton

Manusina: 1. Denise Aiolupotea, 2. Faith Nonutunu, 3. Glory Aiono, 4. Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, 5. Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, 6. Utumalama Atonio, 7. Sui Pauaraisa (captain), 8. Nina Foaese, 9. Ana Afuie, 10. Harmony Vatau, 11. Linda Fiafia, 12. Fa'asua Makisi, 13. Keilamarita Pouri-Lane, 14. Davina Lasini, 15. Karla Wright-Akeli, Bench: 16.Lulu Leuta, 17. Ti Tauasosi, 18. Tori Iosefo, 19. Ana-Lise Sio, 20. Madisen-Jade Jamie Iva, 21.Saelua Leaula, 22. Taytana Pati Ah-Cheung, 23. TBC