Three newcomers have earned places in the Vodafone Fijiana XV squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England later this month.
Eighteen-year-old Carletta Yee, Selai Grace Naliva and Michella’e Brigid Stolz are included in the final 32-player roster. Yee is the squad’s youngest selection and joins the national setup after appearances for the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women in this year’s Super W competition. Naliva and Stolz come into the senior team after participating in the 2022 World Rugby Under‑18 Legacy Program, a pathway initiative intended to prepare young players for higher-level international competition.
Head coach Ioan Cunningham said the selection balances experience with youth to meet the demands of elite opposition, noting that the younger players bring energy needed to match the speed and intensity of top-ranked teams. The Fijiana depart for England on Wednesday.
Context and additional facts
– The final squad blends Drua and sevens talent with a core of returning internationals; Alfreda Fisher Maria leads the side as captain.
– Preparations included a scrimmage win over Manusina Samoa (34-12) used to test combinations and sharpen roles.
– Fiji is drawn in a challenging pool with Canada, Scotland and Wales — all top-10 nations — underscoring the need to tighten fundamentals such as set-piece accuracy, territory control and tackle completion.
Why this matters
– Yee’s rapid rise from school competitions through Super W to the World Cup illustrates the strengthening development pathway for women’s rugby in Fiji, and her selection sends a strong message to young players about the opportunities available.
– Naliva and Stolz’s progression from the Under‑18 Legacy Program into the senior World Cup squad highlights the value of structured youth development in producing international-ready talent.
– The mix of youthful burst and seasoned campaigners gives the Fijiana flexibility: sevens‑influenced pace and counterattack potential, anchored by experienced forwards and leaders who can manage game tempo and decision-making under pressure.
What to watch at the World Cup
– How quickly the coaches convert sevens-style speed into sustained 80-minute performance at 15s level.
– Set-piece and defensive discipline against heavier, more structured packs — these areas will likely determine Fiji’s ability to compete for territory and possession.
– Carletta Yee’s integration and impact as a young forward coming through elite domestic competition.
Brief summary
Carletta Yee, Selai Grace Naliva and Michella’e Stolz have been named among 32 players in Fiji’s Women’s Rugby World Cup squad. Yee, 18, brings Super W experience with the Fijian Drua, while Naliva and Stolz graduated from the World Rugby Under‑18 Legacy Program. The squad combines youth and experience as Fiji departs for England to face a demanding World Cup pool.
Additional comment
This selection reflects a deliberate pathway strategy: nurture school and youth talent, give them exposure in domestic elite competitions and then test them at the highest stage. If the team can marry its natural speed and flair with improved set-piece reliability and defensive consistency, Fiji has the potential not just to compete but to inspire the next generation of female rugby players at home.
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