Fiji Bulikula’s head coach, Joe Dakuitoga, is emphasizing the importance of consistency and player development in the lead-up to the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup qualifiers. After a campaign last year that began promisingly but concluded with a narrow defeat to Samoa, Dakuitoga plans to retain a strong core of young players who participated in the previous squad. He believes that maintaining a stable lineup will enhance Fiji’s chances of success in future competitions.
Dakuitoga stated, “If you look at the team last year, they were all young players. So we’d rather keep the core of those young players to be part of the process to the 2026 World Cup rather than keep on changing players every year.” The strategy includes continued talent scouting from both Australia and Fiji to assemble the best possible team for a unified effort.
The Fiji Bulikula will compete against Canada in the semi-finals of the inaugural IRL Women’s Rugby League World Series on October 21 at Terry Fox Stadium in Brampton, Canada. The winner of this crucial match will proceed to the grand final on October 26 at Lamport Stadium in Toronto, where they will strive for a qualification spot in the upcoming World Cup.
This comes on the heels of a significant milestone achieved by Fiji Bulikula last year, climbing from 26th to 16th in the International Rugby League rankings, surpassing teams from Nigeria, Kenya, and the Philippines. The growth of women’s rugby in Fiji is not just noteworthy; it serves to inspire future generations of female athletes and demonstrates the increasing competitiveness of women’s sports in the region.
As the team prepares for the challenges ahead, their combination of youthful talent and strategic focus raises hopeful expectations for their upcoming campaigns and their ultimate goal of making a mark on the global rugby stage. This journey not only speaks to the ambition of the Bulikula but also highlights the broader narrative of empowerment and growth in women’s sports.
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