Fiji Bulikula, the national women’s rugby league team, has set its sights on qualifying for the 2025 Women’s Rugby League World Cup. Under the guidance of head coach Josaia Rabele, the team aims to secure a place in the top eight rankings as well.
In a remarkable achievement, the Bulikula improved their standing from 26th to 16th in the International Rugby League (IRL) rankings last year, a leap that Rabele is proud of. He noted the accomplishment of being ranked above countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, and the Philippines.
The team is gearing up to compete against Ireland, Canada, and Nigeria in the World Series in October, an event that will serve as the qualifying tournament in Canada. “Our major assignment this year is to win the World Series to qualify for the World Cup,” Rabele stated, expressing confidence in his team’s capabilities despite uncertainty surrounding the competition’s details.
Currently, local players are taking a break but will resume training on January 10 for their pre-season preparations. Rabele mentioned that the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) had also expressed interest in hosting the World Series, which was ultimately awarded to Canada.
In their recent history, the Bulikula faced a challenging match against Samoa, falling 12-16 in a World Cup qualifying event held at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, on November 2, 2024.
Next year, the Women’s Rugby League World Cup will coincide with the men’s and wheelchair tournaments hosted primarily in Australia, with some matches taking place in Papua New Guinea. The Australian team has showcased a dominant presence in the sport, having secured World Cup victories in 2013, 2017, and 2021.
This optimistic pursuit by the Fiji Bulikula not only reflects their commitment to growing women’s rugby but also underscores the increasing competitiveness within the sport on a global scale. With continued support and preparation, Fiji could potentially carve out an important place in women’s rugby league history.
Overall, the determination of the Bulikula and their impressive progress indeed offers hope for fans and supporters as they prepare for this challenging journey ahead.
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