The Fiji Bulikula is preparing for a challenging final against Fetu Samoa this Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand. This follows their recent victory over the Cook Islands, where they won 18-6 at HFC Stadium in Suva.
The winner of the final will secure automatic qualification for the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup, while the runner-up will have the opportunity to participate in a qualifying tournament alongside teams like Ireland.
Captain Talei Holmes recognizes the difficulty of the upcoming match. “We know Samoa is a strong side like our team,” she stated. Holmes expressed confidence in her team’s ability, stating, “I believe in us, and I know we can do it.”
Holmes felt honored to lead the Bulikula to a victory at home, in front of their families and fans. She praised the coaching staff for their player selections and highlighted the group’s impressive performance on the field. “I can feel it within the group, so I’m really proud of the girls,” she added.
She was particularly impressed with the performance of debutants in the match against the Cook Islands. “They all stood up, and you could see that everyone gelled well together, so I’m proud of them as they deserve the win too,” Holmes noted. She advised her players to focus on completing their sets and maintaining a strong defensive line, especially when they were trailing 6-0 against the Moana side. “We knew we couldn’t give up, and we scored next to regain the momentum,” she explained.
Holmes acknowledged winger Vitalina Naikore, who earned player of the match honors with a hat trick. “We have strong outside backs and a solid middle, which is how we won the game; it wasn’t just one player, it was all of us,” she said, commending Naikore for her contributions.
Head coach Josaia Rabele expressed gratitude for the assistance of Tony Herman, coach of the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks women’s team, who has been instrumental in developing their defensive and offensive strategies. He also thanked the coaching staff behind the scenes for their work during the Pacific Championship campaign.
Rabele advised players to continue running hard in attack and to spread the ball to the wingers, praising both Naikore and Abigayle Sekitoga as exceptional players. He emphasized the importance of experienced leadership and the strong bond between the seasoned and young players as a key strength throughout the tournament.
In closing, Rabele thanked the sponsors and families for their support, acknowledging the struggles but expressing pride in the team’s perseverance. “I want to thank all the girls for keeping the faith and believing in themselves to achieve the results we need in our World Cup qualifiers,” he said.
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