Vodafone Fiji Bulikula achieved a significant victory, defeating the Cook Islands Moana 18-6 at home in the 2024 Pacific Championships Women’s league over the weekend. Team captain Talei Holmes credited the win to the strong teamwork and defensive skills exhibited by the players.
Holmes expressed her excitement about the match, reflecting on the exhilarating atmosphere of the crowd in Fiji. “I’m on a massive high, can’t believe it. It’s a surreal feeling to be here with such a massive crowd, and to share this moment with my girls is incredible,” Holmes remarked.
She highlighted the unique bond among the team members, stating, “This past week has been amazing; we’ve never experienced such closeness within a Fiji team before. There is something special about this group. I want to give credit to our coaching staff for their excellent work in selecting the team. I’m proud of the girls.”
Holmes also praised the team’s performance, particularly acknowledging Vitalina Naikore’s impressive hat-trick. “I’m so proud of Vitalina Naikore for her hat-trick. We have strong outside backs and solid forwards contributing to our success; it wasn’t just one player, but our collective effort that secured the victory,” she noted.
She commended the new players for stepping up to their roles, expressing pride in the debutants who stood out during the match. “It was fantastic to see everyone gel so well together on the field,” Holmes added.
Looking forward to the next match against Samoa, Holmes recognized the challenges posed by the strong opposing team and emphasized the importance of thorough preparation. The Fiji Bulikula will face Fetu Samoa in Auckland, competing for a spot in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
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