Fiji Bulikula is setting its sights on qualifying for the 2025 Women’s Rugby League World Cup. The national women’s rugby league team aims not only to gain entry into the tournament but also to achieve a spot among the top eight ranked teams globally. This ambitious goal has been outlined by the head coach, Josaia Rabele.
In a remarkable achievement, the Bulikula climbed from 26th to 16th place in the International Rugby League (IRL) rankings last year, marking a significant improvement. Coach Rabele expressed pride in the team’s current ranking, pointing out that they now surpass countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and the Philippines.
The team is gearing up for a competitive series in October, where they will face Ireland, Canada, and Nigeria in Canada, which will serve as the qualifying event for the World Cup. Rabele emphasized that winning the World Series is their primary objective this year, as it is critical for securing their World Cup spot. While the teams participating in the event have been confirmed, detailed information about the competition is still pending.
Local players are currently on a break, with training set to resume on January 10 as part of their pre-season preparations. Additionally, the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) expressed hopes of hosting the World Series, a bid that, according to Chairman Akuila Masi, may be expensive given the recent costs incurred from hosting the Pacific Championship.
At the same time, it’s important to note that the Bulikula faced a setback when they lost to Samoa, 12 to 16, in a World Cup qualifying match last November in Auckland, New Zealand. Looking forward, the upcoming Women’s Rugby League World Cup will coincide with the men’s and wheelchair tournaments held in Australia, with Papua New Guinea hosting some matches. Australia has maintained its dominance in the sport, winning the World Cup consecutively in 2013, 2017, and 2021.
The aspirations of the Fiji Bulikula, coupled with their significant leap in rankings, provide a hopeful outlook for the future of women’s rugby league in Fiji. This progress reflects the dedication and hard work of the players and coaching staff. There is an optimistic sense that with continued effort and support, Fiji’s women’s rugby league team can achieve its goals on the international stage.
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