Head coach Cunningham, Coates, Komaitai (FIJ)

Head coach Ioan Cunningham, Jade Coates and Manuqalo Komaitai reflect on Fiji's defeat by Scotland and look ahead to the Pool B match against Wales at Sandy Park on Saturday.

Ioan Cunningham, head coach

On working with the Fiji players
“They're fantastic. The potential is untapped, and we've shown growth and improvement over the last three months. Where this team can go is really exciting, the athletic ability is unbelievable, and we're starting to mould and create the style of play that we want to take to the world stage/ I’m just loving it.”

On their chances against Wales:
“We have to focus on trying to create opportunities to get our players in space with the ball. There was a purple patch in the start of the second half against Scotland, where we totally dominated possession and territory, but didn't quite get the points on the board. We got held up once, we had a try disallowed so the positives are there. We have to try to replicate that this week.

“It’s going to be a tough challenge for us, but we’re really looking forward to it. I think we’ve shown in the first two games what we're capable of, and we’re excited by the opportunity this weekend.”

On if his inside knowledge of Wales will help:
“Yeah, definitely but it's about focusing on our strengths. On how we want to impose ourselves on the game on Saturday.”

On his experience of Fiji:
“It was definitely a culture change, but it was great as well. Just learning a different way of coaching, a different approach to the game. Coaching in extreme heat, I’ve never done that before.
Like, I can't fall on a tackle bag because it's too hot! Just little things like that, which you wouldn't even think about in Wales."

On the positive performance against Scotland:
“Well, we had a tough start. We lost Michella'e Brigid Stolz after a minute with the hamstring [injury] then we had a yellow card as well, but the resilience we showed to bounce back was great. Then, post half-time, we dominated that period and had Scotland worried. We managed to score two tries, but didn't convert other opportunities.

On the discipline of the team after two red cards:
“We always look to play hard, but fair, and within the laws of the game. We only conceded eight penalties against Canada and nine against Scotland, so discipline is good. We've just had tackles that are a bit high, which we've got to just work on.”

Jade Coates (pictured)

On head coach Ioan Cunningham:
“It’s been great having a coach coming into our team who's really embraced our culture and who we're so grateful for as a team that he hasn't tried to change us. It has been cool to embrace a part of his family and his culture too.”

Jade on getting to represent Fiji after missing the last World Cup through injury:
“Yeah, the last World Cup I pretty much did the whole build-up then the last week was ruled out.I never gave up the dream of wanting to represent Fiji at the World Cup. The journey hasn't been easy and I guess it makes it mean so much more to me to be here today saying that I'm at the World Cup, able to represent who I am, where I come from and those who have helped me get here.”

On Fiji’s form this Rugby World Cup:
“We play the game because we love it, and we have a big purpose in our why and what drives our team is our faith. For us, it’s about coming and competing - it might be a surprise to some people, but for us it’s not because we see each other every day, we train together, and we see what we’re capable of."

On the final fixture against Wales:
“There’s a lot on the line for both teams, and we’ve just been focusing on what we can control going into the week.

“We’d love to go out of the tournament on a high, and we’re more than capable of doing that. On the third week of the World Cup, it’s not necessarily about who’s the better team - who’s got the heart, who’s mentally strong and can come out in the third week after two losses?”

On how the squad want to be remembered:
“We’re an authentic team and we are just human beings. We want to be known in the communities that we visited that we are good humans as well as good rugby players, and touch the hearts of not only Fijian fans, but the people supporting women’s sport.”

Manuqalo Komaitai

On playing in the Rugby World Cup:
“It feels good, it feels unreal. I never thought I’d make it this far, but I’m grateful for the opportunity.”