Fiji would have loved to just focus on rugby in the second week of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. But they could not.
In the wake of their 65-7 loss to Canada last Saturday, the team have instead had to pick themselves back up after swathes of abusive online comments questioned their efforts and desire in York.
Three-year veteran of the Fijiana XV, Asinate Serevi, has spent much of the week trying to pick up her teammates with a clash against Scotland in Manchester on Saturday quickly approaching.
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“This hit home for us because we knew how much work we had put in as a team,” Serevi said. “All the blood and tears.
“We’re not just here to represent our families, but everyone back home. The comments that were being said, from people at home, it was a lot to take in. We’re all human beings. We all have feelings.
“This week we’ve talked about putting social media to the side and knowing we’re here for rugby and we want to play with skill and talent, not with emotions.”
In the wake of these comments the Fijiana’s social media pages released a video to display the team’s unity and included a message from 19-year-old wing, Michella’e Stolz, to her teammates:
“I know the game may not have gone the way some of you wanted it to go. Losses sting sometimes more than we let others see. I’m proud of the heart you carry. Because I know that heart is something not everyone has.
“And I need you to hear me. A scoreboard cannot measure the value of this team. Win or lose, your worth does not change. You’re more than a result. We may have lost on paper, but when I looked into that field at each of you, I didn’t see losers. I saw warriors. I see fighters. I see people who refused to give up. And that makes me proud in a way no words can fully explain.
“So lift your heads. This is not the end of our story. It’s only the beginning. It’s just a page in a bigger book. And I believe that God has written greatness ahead of us. And as your teammate, as your sister, as your family, I am beyond grateful to stand alongside each of you in this truth.”
A kind of homecoming
In some ways this World Cup is a bit of a homecoming for Serevi.
Daughter of Fijian legend, Waisale, the 30-year-old lock forward has lived in Aldershot and could be seen in the embrace of the aunt she used to stay with at full-time at York Community Stadium.
That reunion has added to the sense of the occasion at the tournament. And also underlined the influence of family present throughout the squad.
Because if it were not for her father’s guidance, Serevi may never have pulled on a Fiji shirt at all.
A standout rugby player during her time at Central Washington University, she made her debut for the USA Women’s Eagles in 2016 against Canada in the Super Series. For the next three years she lived and breathed representing the USA.
Her final game for the USA came in 2019 when she came off the bench in a 53-14 loss to France at the conclusion of the Women’s Rugby Super Series. After that, the future was uncertain.
“Dad reached out to me and asked if I was done playing,” Serevi said. “I was like, I don’t know.”
So enamoured by her time in red, white and blue, Serevi took time over her decision of whether to switch international allegiances to the country of her birth.
Eventually the notion of pulling on the same white jersey that her father has become synonymous with and to embark on a new journey with the then-brand new Fijian Drua Women in 2022, it added up to the perfect opportunity.
She made her debut against Canada in a 2021 Rugby World Cup warm-up match and started against England’s Red Roses in the two teams’ tournament opener.
“I knew it was going to be different for me to represent Fiji and put on that jersey,” Serevi said.
“It was different because I’d watched my dad put on that jersey. I’ve watched a lot of my family members put on that jersey and seen how happy it makes the people of Fiji. I wanted to be part of that too.
“That’s when it hit home and I realised I did want to go home, see if I could make this team knowing how much it meant to me.”
Every moment in England will be savoured a little more by the 30-year-old. With a degree in law and justice and an eye on what the future may hold, she admits that this tournament could well be her last.
“Going into this World Cup, I’m thinking it might be my last one,” Serevi said.
“Thinking of how much I’ve done, representing the USA and Fiji, I think I’m happy and just want to be able to end this World Cup on a high.
“Just see what we’re able to do and just create a lot more memories with this group of players.”
Taking on Scotland
To take on Scotland, Fiji head coach Ioan Cunningham has made four changes to his starting side.
One of these changes is enforced after 2024 Olympian Ilisapeci Delaiwau was ruled out of the tournament with a hand injury sustained against Canada. She is replaced on the right wing by Alowesi Nakoci and Michella’e Stolz has been installed on the left wing.
In the centres Verenaisi Ditavutu will partner Josifini Neihamu instead of Ema Adivitaloga. The half-back partnership of Setaita Railumu and Salanieta Kinita remains intact.
There is just one change in the starting forwards pack as Vika Matarugu swaps places with Tiana Robanakadavu. Both Keleni Marawa and Karalaini Naisewa are named as front-row replacements, while Carletta Yee and Sulita Waisega are also in line for their first appearances of the World Cup.
After her try-scoring exploits Kolora Lomani is set to join the action from the bench again, as will Kelerayani Luvu and Adi Salote Nailolo.
There is no place for Serevi among the 23. Even so the 30-year-old has been hard at work preparing her teammates to take on a Scotland side with knockout rugby in their sights.
“I hope the girls have flushed everything that we’ve done last weekend, and we’ve learned from our mistakes,” Serevi said.
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“We know we are way better than we were last weekend. We’re reminding the girls to play with their talents and not with their emotions.
“I know from working with these girls the past four years the potential they have, the strength they have and what this team is capable of doing.
“This week I have just been reminding them that they need to back themselves up. Be confident. Have fun.
“We can get so caught up in playing at a World Cup, the biggest stage, and remembering we’re here to have fun with the talent God blessed us with.”
Fiji Line-Up vs Scotland
1 Loraini Senivutu
2 Bitila Tawake
3 Vika Matarugu
4 Jade Coates
5 Mereoni Nakesa
6 Nunia Daunimoala
7 Alfreda Fisher (C)
8 Manuqalo Komaitai
9 Setaita Railumu
10 Salanieta Kinita
11 Michella’e Stolz
12 Josifini Neihamu
13 Verenaisi Ditavutu
14 Alowesi Nakoci
15 Litiana Vueti
Replacements
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