2016 Oceania Rugby Women's Championship

2016 Oceania Championship

Event	2017 Rugby World Cup Qualifier
Fiji Papua New Guinea 37 10
Date	5 November 2016
Venue	ANZ National Stadium, Suva
Referee	Alan Aioluptota

The 2016 Oceania Rugby Women's Championship was the inaugural Oceania Championship for women's rugby in the region. It was held in Suva on November 5.[1][2] It was part of the 2017 Rugby World Cup qualifying process.

Teams

Three teams initially nominated for the tournament were Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa. With their long history of World Cup participation, Samoa seemed to be favourites to become the region's entry. However, in a surprise move, Oceania Rugby refused Samoa's participation on the same grounds as World Rugby had barred Kenya and Uganda from African regional qualification – the lack of a robust domestic women's fifteens rugby tournament (almost all of Samoa's squads in past years had come from players living and playing in New Zealand and Australia). As such, the championship was decided in a one-off match between the remaining two teams, with Fiji winning to advance to the Repechage tournament in Hong Kong.[3]

Playoff match

Fiji	37–10	Papua New Guinea
Lawedrau  19' Bulikiobo  33' Deku  53' Rokouono  62' Vakaloloma  78', 80+' Cons: Rokouono  53', 80+' Pens: Rokouono  11'	Report	Lagona  22' Kaore  48'

FB 15 Roela Radiniyavuni RW 14 Limaina Wai OC 13 Litiana Lawedrau IC 12 Talica Vodo LW 11 Paulini Ravouvou FH 10 Merewalesi Rokouono SH 9 Rejieli Uluinayau N8 8 Sereana Nagatalevu OF 7 Mere Moto BF 6 Joma Rubuti RL 5 Laisa Taga LL 4 Fuga Ofakimalino TP 3 Esiteri Bulikiobo HK 2 Pasemaca Buadromo LP 1 Lailanie Burnes (c) Replacements: 16 Vlisi Vakaloloma 17 Mereoni Yabakidrau 18 Jowana Vuni 19 Makereta Tunidau 20 Sainimere Naleweniikataga 21 Tavaita Rowati 22 Mereani Moceituba 23 Wainikiti Deku Coach: Seremaia Bai

FB 15 Joanne Lagona RW 14 Cassandra Sampson OC 13 Marlugu Dixon IC 12 Kymlie Rapilla LW 11 Nina Stein FH 10 Margaret Naua (c) SH 9 Victoria Kamen N8 8 Debbie Kaore OF 7 Lynette Kwarula BF 6 Melanie Kawa RL 5 Clara Biyamah LL 4 Isi Govea TP 3 Norah Wartovo HK 2 Jane Buku LP 1 Pamela Waringe Replacements: 16 Lorraine Pomat 17 Geua Larry 18 Tracy Stains 19 Harkana Dixon 20 Theresanne Daimol 21 Angela Parao 23 Augusta Livuana 24 Helen Abau Coach: Sydney Wesley

References

1. Deo, Rohit (2016-09-13). "Fiji to host Oceania Rugby Womens Championship". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
2. "Women's RWC qualification at Stake in Inaugural Oceania Championship". www.fijirugby.com. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
3. Ratulevu, Pate (2016-11-07). "Fijiana Beat PNG to Win Inaugural Oceania Championship". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 2022-08-18.