Fijiana XV outclassed by Canada 65-7 in World Cup opener

The Vodafone Fijiana XV went down 65-7 to second-ranked Canada in their Women’s Rugby World Cup opener this morning in London.

Canada ran in 11 tries, with fullback Julia Schell scoring six, while Sophie de Goede, Gillian Boag, Caroline Crossley, Alysha Corrigan, and Karen Paquin also crossed over.

Fiji’s lone try came from Kolora Lomani early in the second half.

Discipline was an issue, with Canada’s fly-half Taylor Perry shown a yellow card for a high shot on Josifini Neihamu, while Fijiana forward Bulou Vasuturaga received a yellow that was later upgraded to red for a high tackle.

Captain Alfreda Fisher says it was a tough game but also a valuable lesson for the team.

The Fijiana will now turn their focus to their second Pool B match against eighth-ranked Scotland at 1.45am next Sunday.

Fijiana XV vs Canada updates

Kick off: Fiji

2' Mistake from the Fijiana girls, scrum to Canada inside Fijiana's 50m line. FJ 0-0 CAN

5' Powerful scrum from Canada. They get a penalty and kicks the ball out for a line-out. Nice take from Canada at the line out. They get on the scoreboard first. Try to Canada. Sophie de Goede. FJ 0-7 CAN

10' Second scrum won by Canada. They kick the ball out for another lineout in Fiji's 22m. FJ 0-7 CAN

13' Try to Canada. Gillian Boag. FJ 0-12 CAN

18' Canada fly half Taylor Perry gets a yellow card for head-on collision against Josifini Neihamu. Fiji gets a one person advantage. FJ 0-12 CAN

22' Try to Canada. Caroline Crossley. FJ 0-19 CAN

29' Try to Canada. Alysha Corrigan. FJ 0-24 CAN

36' Fiji gets a line-out inside Canada's 22m. A big opportunity to get points on the board, but stolen by Canada, they kick the ball away. Fiji starts again from their 22m line. FJ 0-24 CAN

HALF TIME

2nd Half Kick off: Canada

41' Try to Fiji. Kolora Lomani. FJ 7-24 CAN

49' Try to Canada. Julia Schell. FJ 7-31 CAN

52' Try to Canada. Julia Schell. FJ 7-36 CAN

60' Try to Canada. Julia Schell. FJ 7-48 CAN

69' Try to Canada. Julia Schell. FJ 7-53 CAN

69' Bulou Vasuturaga receives a yellow card. Fiji in more trouble. FJ 7-53 CAN

71' Try to Canada. Julia Schell. FJ 7-58 CAN

Bulou Vasuturaga's yellow card, upgraded to a red card.

77' Try to Canada. Karen Paquin. FJ 7- 65 CAN

FT: FJ 7-65 CAN