NRLW Cowboys winger Vitalina Naikore delivered an impressive performance, scoring three tries to lead the Fiji Bulikula to an 18-6 victory over the Cook Islands in the Pacific Bowl Championship at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday.
Naikore, a standout player previously with the Fijian Drua Women, received strong support from her family, who traveled from Bua in Vanua Levu to cheer her and the team on.
The Cook Islands opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a try from prop Kerehitina Matua. Fiji’s captain, Talei Holmes, equalized in the 17th minute after a sustained period of pressure from her team, and Naikore scored in the corner five minutes later, giving Fiji a 10-6 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Naikore added to her tally early on, converting a precise kick from halfback Losana Lutu into a try as she showcased her speed. Named Player of the Match, Naikore completed her hat-trick in the 60th minute when the Cook Islands found themselves outnumbered on the right flank after the fourth tackle.
With this victory, the Bulikula are set to travel to New Zealand to take on Samoa in the final, which will determine a spot in the World Cup. The match is scheduled for Saturday, November 2, at Go Media Stadium in Auckland.
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