WXV3: Fiji big win; Colombia face playoff

KAZAKHSTAN 0-118 FIJI

Fiji showed no mercy as they bettered the 109-0 win Ireland inflicted on Kazakhstan in round one with a 118-0 victory over the Asia Rugby Women's Championship 2023 runners-up.

Luisa Tisolo scored 34 points from two tries and 12 conversions as she set a new Fijiana record for most points by a player in a test.

Winger Adita Milinia doubled her test career try count by crossing four times to equal the record held by Reapi Ulunisau and Ilisapeci Delaiwau, while outside-centre Merewairita Neivosa helped herself to a hat-trick.

Unbeaten sides Ireland and Spain play off against each other for the WXV 3 title on Saturday so Fijiana's stay at the top will only last 24 hours but it was an impressive way for them to sign off.

Before Saturday's eagerly-awaited title decider, the bottom two teams, Kenya and Colombia, meet in the second and final match on Friday with the winner avoiding a relegation play-off for their region at a later date.

Fiji opened the scoring within the first three minutes when winger Adita Milinia danced through gaps in the Kazakhstan defence from well inside her own half with Luisa Tisolo adding the conversion.

It took just minutes for Milinia and Fijiana to cross for a second try with the winger's sheer pace proving a problem for the Kazakhstan defence.

A penalty fell just short for Kazakhstan on the 10-minute mark and Fijiana capitalised on the missed on the opportunity with Milinia crossing for her hat-trick try inside just 15 minutes, with Tisolo adding her third conversion.

Fijiana tight-head prop Ana Korovata saw yellow for a dangerous clear-out at ruck time but despite being down a player, Fiji added a fourth try after some deft handling from their backs putting Atelaite Ralivanawa in acres of space to stroll in and score.

And with Korovata still in the sin-bin, Fijiana crossed for a fifth try when flanker Teresia Tinanivalu crossed from an attacking scrum.

On the half-hour mark, Fiji had six tries on the board with centre Merewai Cumu dotting down under the posts following a slick line-out move.

Cumu’s centre partner Merewairita Neivosa added her side's seventh of the game and just a minute later Tisolo made it eight with the full-back dummying her way to score under the sticks.

Just before the break, Fijiana crossed the 60-point mark with Ralivanawa adding her second of the game when she rounded off another breakaway with Tisolo adding an eighth conversion.

Kazakhstan managed to keep Fiji out for the opening five minutes of the second half but they soon conceded a 10th try from scrum-half Evivi Senikarivi and then full-back Tisolo secured her brace before adding a ninth conversion.

Fijiana’s 12th try came after Rusila Nagasau took a quick penalty to race through the strewn Kazakhstan defence before the 13th was scored by Salanieta Kinita following more delightful offloading.

Captain Sereima Leweniqila used her power to cross for a well-deserved try to take the score beyond 90 before Korovata ran in from outside the 22 for try number 15.

The century mark was reached when centre Naivosa dotted down under the posts for her second try with Tisolo kicking her 12th conversion before Milinia secured her fourth of the game.

Kazakhstan continued to push for a score but it was Fijiana who rounded out the game's scoring with Naivosa securing her hat-trick and her side's 18th and final try.

A dominant Kenya ran out 21-5 victors in their WXV 3 shootout with Colombia, ending a three-game losing streak and securing their spot in next season’s competition.

A draw would have been enough to assure Africa’s place in the third level, but a brace from Sharon Auma and six points from the boot of Ann Ochieng, including the first drop goal of the entire WXV, was enough to overcome Juliana Soto’s runaway score.

Having been defeated by just a single point in their only previous meeting, Kenya came out with a vengeance and executed their game plan to perfection in the first forty.

Opening the scoring after six minutes they swung the ball from left to right, Sharon Auma crossing effortlessly in the right-hand corner.

An overpowering scrum kept Kenya firmly in the ascendency and denied Colombia any significant ball. Las Tucanes fought hard to prevent a second try, a knock on from Judith Okumu a yard short of the line saving their blushes.

But Ochieng, who kicked to great effect throughout the game, opted to drop a rare goal on 20 minutes, keeping the heat on Colombia and moving the lead to 8.

Simple handling errors hampered any chance of Las Tucanes getting a foothold into the game and Kenya took full advantage, a 23rd minute try for Rose Otieno, reaching over her head to dot down, further establishing their lead.

Colombia’s only saving grace came against the run of play, a Kenyan mistake releasing Soto to run the length of the pitch.

But that score was nullified just three minutes later, Auma’s second in the same corner extending Kenya’s lead to 18-5 at the break.

A positive start for Colombia in the second half saw them move towards the Kenyan line inch by inch, but valiant defence and Ochieng’s exit extinguished the pressure.

Las Tucanes scrambled in the final quarter but couldn’t add any points to the scoreboard as the handling errors mounted up, Ochieng’s 75th-minute penalty confirming Kenya’s first WXV 3 victory.

This loss means Colombia now face a relegation play-off for their WXV 3 future.