17 Dec 2016

Sport: Fijiana coach says future uncertain for team

12:39 pm on 17 December 2016

The coach of Fiji's women's rugby team hopes their appearance at last week's Asia-Oceania triangular tournament can be the platform for future fixtures.

The Fijiana 15s lay down a challenge to PNG pre-match.

The Fijiana 15s lay down a challenge to PNG pre-match. Photo: Fiji Rugby

The tournament gave Fiji an opportunity to qualify for their first ever women's World cup.

Unfortunately for them they lost their opening match to hosts Hong Kong 45-7 and then lost to Japan 55-0.

Coach Seremaia Bai says because it was the Fijiana 15s first overseas tour, the games could be seen as successful.

Although Bai concedes the future is uncertain for the team.

"We don't have any programmes, we don't have any systems in place for our womens rugby in Fiji, that's something we've been trying to discuss with a union, hopefully there will be a programme where we can build up from the work that has been done from our campaign," he said.

He adds that one despite being thrashed by Hong Kong and Japan over the past week, he believes their Asia-Oceania triangular tournament was a successful one.

Bai says despite the results the games could be seen as successful.

"In the history of Fijiana 15s that's our first ever 15 tour after ten years, we don't have a proper competition here in Fiji and it's a big step from playing club rugby to international levels, so from my perspective, it's successful," he said.