Fiji Builkula participated in a training session at Albert Park yesterday as part of their preparation for their upcoming match against the Cook Islands Moana team in week two of the 2024 Pacific Championships.
Team captain Talei Holmes shared insights following the practice, highlighting their focus on critical areas for improvement that they plan to continue working on throughout the week.
“We all got together and worked on some attack and defense, going through all our movements for the week,” Holmes noted. “It was good to regroup and handle the ball for a bit.”
Holmes recognized the physicality of their opponents from the Cook Islands, especially in the middle of the field.
“We know we need to tighten our ruck as they have some strong players on their side, and we must ensure our defense is solid, as that will be crucial in winning the game,” she stated.
With ties to Taveuni in the North, Holmes expressed that the team’s spirit is high after convening at the Grand Pacific Hotel on Saturday and attending a church service at the Qauia Methodist Church in Lami on Sunday.
“We’ve already built a bond off the field, engaging in devotions and team meetings, which I believe is essential,” she said. “We’ve established a strong connection that we showcased on the field yesterday, and we’re continuing to grow that.”