Anastacia Shum Cottrell-Manumanunitoga, representing the Fiji Bulikula team, is excited to return to Fiji after nine years and is eager to compete for her country and family this weekend. The 23-year-old is honored to represent both the Bulikula squad and her village of Wainimakutu, Namosi on the international stage.
“I am very excited to play this weekend and to represent my country. Playing for Fiji is what matters most, so all the players will be giving their best against our opponents the Cook Islands,” she expressed.
Returning home, Manumanunitoga is looking forward to reuniting with her family, having been away for so long. Originally from Australia, she frequently visits her family in Fiji and felt emotional during their recent reunion.
“It was an emotional moment for me, seeing my family this week, and I’m so excited to play in front of them and do my best,” she said.
She comes from a family with a strong rugby league heritage, as her older brother Tevita Cottrell and brother-in-law Isaac Lumelume have both represented Fiji in the sport.
“My older brother Tevita Cottrell played for the Fiji Bati in 2018, and my brother-in-law Isaac Lumelume represented the country in 2019. So, I will be the first girl to represent the family, to play for my country and Bulikula, so I’m happy,” she noted.
“Regardless of the outcome this weekend, we are all proud to wear the Fiji jersey and showcase our family heritage,” she added.
The Bulikula team will take on the Cook Islands Moana at 6pm this Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
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