A late Varanisese Qoro penalty was the difference between two equally matched sides as Fiji weathered a strong comeback from the Netherlands in a high-intensity encounter to complete a clean-sweep of victories in the WXV Global Series Challenger presented by Mitsubishi Electric after a five-hour delay because of high temperatures in Hong Kong.
Fiji 20 - 17 Netherlands
Fiji had got off to the flying start in their match against the Netherlands, dominating early possession and territory as they raced into a 12-0 lead in the opening 13 minutes.
Player of the match Merewairita Neivosa burst through to score the game’s opening try in the seventh minute, to cap an early spell of near-total control from the Pacific Islanders in exhausting conditions at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground. And full-back Ivamere Nabura Rokowati got their second six minutes later as Fiji’s dangerous backs revelled in broken play.
Despite the scoreline, and a misfiring lineout that disrupted their organised gameplan, the Netherlands hung on, battling for ball and preventing Fiji extending their lead further. And, as the game went on and Fiji tired, they got a foothold into the game.
Shortly before halftime Elisabeth Boot crashed over from a finally functional lineout maul to narrow Fiji’s lead. And inspirational captain Linde van der Velden scored four minutes into the second half to level the scores.
The entire complexion of the game had changed. The Netherlands’ organisation and fitness were dictating the action. Fiji, meanwhile, were dropping balls they had earlier caught comfortably. Shortly before the hour outside-centre Pleuni Kievit darted over to give the Oranje Dames the lead.
With 15 minutes left, however, Selai Naliva levelled the scores as the momentum shifted again. As Fiji poured forward in search of the winning score, the Netherlands were forced to hang on again. But they conceded the penalty that decided the match in the closing seconds of the game.
Hong Kong China xx - xx Samoa
Match review to follow
Spain v Brazil
Match cancelled