The Fiji Bulikula women’s rugby league team is set to take on the Cook Islands Moana this weekend in a crucial match that will determine their qualification for the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup. Head coach Joe Rabele highlighted the significance of the game after the team’s initial training session at Albert Park in Suva.
“This is the most important game of their lives, especially since it will be played in Fiji, on our home ground,” Rabele stated. “We aim to defend our territory, as this is also a World Cup qualifier.”
Reflecting on the recent performance of the Vodafone Fiji Bati, who faced defeat against Papua New Guinea Kumuls, Rabele expressed that this outcome serves as a reminder for his team to prepare more effectively. “The Bati didn’t achieve the desired results last week, so we’ve taken lessons from their experience to improve our own preparation for this World Cup qualifier,” he explained.
The Bulikula squad is focusing on refining their attacking strategies and enhancing key aspects of their gameplay in anticipation of the match against the Cook Islands. They are also emphasizing team cohesion as part of their preparation. On Sunday, the team participated in a church service in Qauia Village to seek spiritual guidance and foster unity before diving into their training regimen throughout the week leading up to the game.
The match against the Moana side is scheduled for this Saturday at 6 PM at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.