Fijiana on the attack against Wales. Photo: Morgan Harlow - World Rugby
Fijiana saved their best for the last dance as they upset Wales 28-25 in front of the 14,082 sell-out crowd at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday.
It was the side's last pool game at the Women's Rugby World Cup and one that they will remember for a long time yet, earning only their second victory at a world meet.
Double international Asinate Serevi also announced she was leaving the game.
The defeat of Wales adds to their win over South Africa in New Zealand back at the 2021 event, Fijiana inside centre and player of the match Josifini Neihamu scored a double in the match, stating later that it was a team effort that got them through against Wales.
"I didn't think I would be the player of the match today," she told the media post-match.
"To my teammates, well deserved for the win today. It was a tough week for us, we prepared so well, even though we lost our first two games, but it's a big win for us today.
"For me the steal at the end was more important, because that is for my teammates and for my country.
"We gave our all today and we are making our family back home proud and today is for them.
"Thank you for waking up at this time back at home to watch us."
The Fijians gave it their all after having lost the first game against Canada and then coming back straight to go down to Scotland in their second game, where there were marked improvements in their game.
Fiji's ability to keep the ball alive with their trademark offloading game was the one that made the difference in the end.
Neihamu's two tries were supplemented by that of scrum-half Setaita Railumu and winger Repeka Adi Tove in the first spell.
Wales had started strongly with first half tries from Carys Cox, Sisilia Tuipulotu and Alex Callender.
Fijiana led 28-15 at halftime and had to defend until the final whistle as Wales threw everything at them in the last 40.
Wales had their tails up in the second spell again with tries to Kayleigh Powell and Lisa Neumann.
But the Fijians stuck on the job and came out victors in the end, much to the joy of head coach and former Welsh mentor Ioan Cunnigham.
"We set out on this journey to inspire young women and girls to play rugby back at home, and I think the team have done that, I'm so proud of them," he said post-match.
"We've got an incredible group of athletes and players who can do special things on the field.
My task has been to get that out of them, get them to express themselves and play with no fear, and we showed that today.
"This is an awesome platform for Fiji and the team to build upon, and who knows, the next four years they could do something really special."
Winning captain Alfreda Fisher was overjoyed with the result, saying the team will celebrate their moment together.
"I thank the Lord and the girls, we've come so far and we've worked really hard to be here," Fijiana's youngest captain said.
"I thank the girls for giving their all, I'm really happy. This is more than anything we've dreamt of.
"Tonight we'll sing on top of our lives. We're going to sing to give thanks to the Lord for giving us the strength to perform here today, and to thank the audience, the people who came out here to see us play today. We really appreciate it. It's in everyone, so thank you."
Tough loss
Wales mentor Sean Lynn said it was the toughest of his team's defeat at the world meet.
He pointed to the team's inability to make use of opportunities.
However, he said the team's ability to fight back in the second half a show of character "to get themselves back in it was brilliant, but test-match rugby is brutal".
"We will be moving forward, I can promise you that. Some of the youngsters who have been involved in this World Cup - Seren Lockwood came on and made a massive impact. I am not looking back, I am looking forward."
Co-captain Kate Williams said it hurt to lose to Fiji.
"It is a tough loss to take," she said.
"We just need to take our opportunities; we are making them. But it hurts."
Her fellow co-captain Alex Callender said they will work on turning things around.
"We are in a real tough place but I believe in the team that we've got, I believe in our staff, that we can turn this around.
"Those three games didn't showcase what we are all about. I am just gutted."
Farewell gift
Double international Asinate Serevi, daughter of sevens legend Waisale Serevi, announced her retirement after the game.
She had previously played for USA and had her dad in the stand cheering her on.
Fiery forward Jade Coates paid tribute to Asinate after the clash.
"I'm so proud of her. It's not easy when someone announces their retirement, but the time she's had in the jersey, she's a double international player for the USA and Fijiana," Coates said of her teammate.
"Not many people can do that, so I take my hat off to her. She's a proud Fijiana girl and I hope us girls can keep playing to make her proud."
Fijiana and Manusina from Samoa were the Pacific representatives at the event, with Manusina having lost their last pool game earlier in the day, going down 60-0 to the United States of America.
Both teams have missed the world cup quarterfinals.
Head coach Cunnigham said the team will continue to strive to develop and move forward, stating he was keen to continue in the job
"It's been challenging, coaching in the heat is hard, but it's a great place with awesome people and I'm really thankful for how they've embraced me and my family as well," he said.
"I'm just really proud of them. Just the spirit they have and the togetherness, it's awesome, just really proud. This is an awesome platform for Fiji and the team to build upon, and who knows, the next four years they could do something really special."
