‘Not here to make up the numbers’: Fiji coach

Margie McDonald |

New Zealand have survived an almighty scare from Fiji to get their World Cup campaign underway.
New Zealand have survived an almighty scare from Fiji to get their World Cup campaign underway.

Coach Jone Wesele said his team was not at the World Cup to just “make up the numbers” after his Fiji team rattled the cage of the more highly-fancied New Zealand Ferns before going down 18-12 at McDonald Jones Stadium.

“It’s truly amazing to see how relentless they were coming up against the second nation in the world – that’s quite a statement,” Wesele sa

“They made their mark today. The girls brought it to their doorstep. We are not here to make up the numbers.”

Losana Lutu.
An upset was brewing at halftime in Newcastle with Fiji scoring two tries to one. (Darren Pateman/AAP PHOTOS)

Ferns coach Ricky Henry said the match was a wake-up call for a team dotted with experienced NRLW players like Georgia Hale, Mele Hufunga, Raecene McGregor and Apii Nicholls, who have all played 15 or more Tests for New Zealand.

“The good thing about it was that we found a way, but we’ve got some work to do,” Henry said.

A late try to winger Leianne Tufunga saved the Ferns – three-time winners of the World Cup – the embarrassment of losing to minnows Fiji Bulikula, who are making their Cup debut.

In fact the Bulikula took the halftime lead 12-10 and then held onto it for another 20 minutes until a Zahara Temara penalty drew scores level.

Stacey Waaka.
The Kiwi Ferns’ Stacey Waaka touched down for two first-half tries at McDonald Jones Stadium. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

Fiji repelled the Ferns time and again on their own goal-line before showing a willingness to throw the ball around in attack.

But with three minutes left, McGregor’s perfectly placed corner kick allowed Tugunga to accelerate, make the catch and score in the right corner.

Earlier, the Ferns were out of the gate quickly with a cut-out pass in the second minute from Nicholls finding her winger Stacey Waaka unmarked.

The match became a grind before Fiji scored twice in six minutes – through Losana Lutu and Sienna Laing – to take a surprise 12-4 lead.

New Zealand replied in the shadows of halftime with Waaka bagging a double.

Fiji’s display will have the rest of the women’s nations sitting up and taking notice, especially the PNG Orchids, who will host the Bulikula in Port Moresby next Saturday.

The Ferns travel home to host France in Christchurch next Sunday.

AAP