Fiji Bulikula has set an ambitious goal to secure qualification for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup in 2025, with aspirations to rank among the top eight teams globally. Head coach Josaia Rabele is steering the national women’s rugby league side towards this objective, following a notable improvement in their ranking, which saw them rise from 26th to 16th in the International Rugby League (IRL) last year.
Rabele expressed pride in the team’s progress, noting that Fiji’s women now surpass countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and the Philippines in the rankings. The Bulikula is scheduled to compete against Ireland, Canada, and Nigeria in the World Series in October, an event that will serve as the qualifying tournament for the World Cup, to be held in Canada.
“Our major assignment this year is to win the World Series to qualify for the World Cup,” said Rabele, emphasizing the significance of this competition. While the teams have been confirmed, details regarding the tournament structure are still pending. Local players are currently on a break and will resume training on January 10 for their pre-season program.
Rabele also mentioned that the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) had shown interest in hosting the World Series; however, this could be a costly endeavor following last October’s Pacific Championship hosting.
Additionally, Bulikula faced a setback when they lost a World Cup qualifying match against Samoa, finishing 12-16 at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, on November 2, 2024. The women’s Rugby League World Cup next year will coincide with the men’s and wheelchair tournaments, hosted by Australia, with some matches also taking place in Papua New Guinea.
Australia remains a formidable force in women’s rugby league, having dominated the sport over the past decade with World Cup victories in 2013, 2017, and 2021.
This competitive spirit and determination from the Fijian team exemplify the growing strength of women’s rugby league on a global scale. As they prepare for the upcoming challenges, fans can look forward to an inspiring journey from the Bulikula in an effort to make their mark in the world of rugby.
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