Fiji Pearls

To ensure readiness, the team has engaged in warm-up matches and focused on mental preparation.

“When we play Jamaica it’s like the playing style against Zimbabwe and of course New Zealand and Scotland has the similar style as Australia”

Rokoura is confident in the players’ ability to adapt to the new environment and expects a strong performance.

The Fiji Pearls will compete against Tonga on Friday at 7pm.

They defeated Kenya 71-44 in the second game of the tournament in Australia, yesterday.

The Tongan side got off to a strong start and led at halftime 34-22 and continued to build consistency to win the game.

Tonga beat Singapore 85-40 in their first game.

They will now face Zambia tonight.

The other teams confirmed for the series are the Fiji men's team and the USC Thunder from the Queensland Sapphire Series.

Netball Fiji, with the support of the Fiji National Sports Commission, will host the series at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva from March 27-30.

Netball Fiji Chief Executive Officer Vivian Koster said the Series will be crucial for the Pearls ahead of the World Cup.

The Pearls were beaten 59-29.

Fijivillage reports Tonga was ruthless from the start, winning the first quarter by 15-3 and then edged Fiji 33-8 in the second quarter.

Fiji made some changes in the third quarter but it was not enough as Tonga put on more points to lead 48-18.

The Pearls managed to push back in the final quarter but the margin was too wide.

The Tongan supporters turned up in numbers to support their side and it was a festive atmosphere at the venue.

Photo Fijivillage  Caption: Tongan Tala players 

Both teams were consistent in the first quarter going toe to toe with each other.

The combination of Maliana Rusivakula and Matila Vocea kept Fiji’s goal in line with the Tongans.

Fiji Pearls wing defense Ateca Qasenivalu continue to apply pressure but Tonga proved to be a much better side.

Tonga picked up the tempo, managing a 30-26 lead at halftime.

The pressure began to intensify and it was a more physical game in the secondhalf.

Fiji Pearls Coach Unaisi Rokoura made a few changes resting Qasenivalu and bringing in Avelina Navue and Unaisi Raulini.

It was a very slow start for both sides as Fiji made a few errors leaving them trailing 11-18 behind Tonga in the first quarter.

Tonga worked hard in the early minutes wanting to leave a huge gap in the scores with quick balls on the attack.

Although Fiji was slow off the mark in the first couple of minutes, they made many opportunities with the ball as goal shooter Unaisi Rauluni failed to miss a hoop.

Fiji doubled its points at half-time but it was not enough as Tonga remained in a strong lead.

Tonga defeated Papua New Guinea 85-42 in their first game yesterday.

Both teams will be gunning for their second win.

Fiji Pearls beat Samoa 55-44 yesterday.

Tonga will meet Samoa on Wednesday and Singapore on Friday.

The series ends with the finals on Saturday.

Photo Netball Australia  Caption: Tonga takes on Papua New Guinea in their first match of the Australia Pacific series 

FBC News reported commission chair Peter Mazey saying a budget had been allocated to hire a new coach after Vicki Wilson's contract expired in July.

Wilson, a former New Zealand assistant coach and one of Australia's greatest players, was welcome to reapply for the role, Mazey said, but the new contract would stipulate the coach lives in Fiji.

As well as leading the national team, the Pearls coach would be required to guide local coaches to higher standards, he said.

Of the nine netball competitions since the start of the Pacific Games Fiji had won six and have remained unbeaten since 1995.

In 2011, netball was not contested so the sport makes a comeback after a lapse of eight years to the Pacific Games.

For the Pearls, the Pacific Games also provide an opportunity to test themselves as they build up for the Netball World Cup.

Vice-captain Maria Lutua said Fiji was going for gold.