Fiji Bulikula captain Talei Holmes expressed that the players have forged a strong bond during their brief time together.
“We found a bond already off the field through team devotions and meetings, which is the most crucial aspect,” she stated.
Holmes noted the Cook Islands team possesses significant strength in the middle and highlighted the threat posed by full-back Kiana Takairangi around the ruck.
To counter this, Holmes mentioned the need for tighter ruck control and solid defense.
Having represented her country twice before, being captain this year holds special significance for Holmes, as she never anticipated this role would come so soon. “I’m very excited, and I can’t wait to lead the girls,” she added.
Holmes expressed her enthusiasm for participating in the Pacific Championship campaign, marking her first visit to the country. She reflected on the importance of supporting the younger generation in the sport, stating, “It’s amazing, and I’m so excited to play in front of them.”
The team is seriously focused on their objective to qualify for the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup, with Holmes emphasizing that it would be a tremendous achievement for Fiji. “It would mean everything to the country if we qualify,” she noted.
Holmes mentioned they are preparing thoroughly for their match on Saturday. Recently, she was part of the Cronulla Sharks squad that narrowly lost to the Sydney Roosters in the NRLW grand final by a score of 32-28.
In related news, Fetu Samoa will be observing the upcoming match between Bulikula and the Cook Islands Moana, as they will compete for a spot in the World Cup qualifying final after Fetu Samoa’s victory over Tonga, 30-16.
The winner of the Fiji-Cook Islands match will proceed to Auckland to face Samoa on November 2, with a World Cup spot at stake. Tonga and the losing team from Saturday’s fixture at HFC Stadium will be eliminated from contention, but the runner-up in Auckland will have a chance to compete in the 2025 World Series for the final spot in RLWC2026.
Additionally, the winning team in Auckland will face the third-placed team from the Pacific Cup at CommBank Stadium on November 10, with an opportunity for promotion to the top tier next year.