Lami Steelers captain Naomi Tegu has made a significant impression by securing a spot in the Fiji Bulikula squad for the upcoming Pacific Bowl Championship match against the Cook Islands this Saturday. The 18-year-old, a student from Richmond Methodist High School, relocated from Kadavu to participate in a rugby league academy led by Vodafone Fiji Bati’s head coach Wise Kativerata.
Last year, while in Kadavu, Tegu was unaware that Coach Kativerata and his team would conduct rugby league clinics at her school. At that time, she held the position of deputy head girl and had little knowledge of the sport.
Kativerata encouraged her to submit her name for consideration for the Fiji women’s national rugby league team. “He asked me to join the camp during the two-week holiday break,” Tegu recounted. She attended the camp during the first week of her holiday, alongside a teacher, marking the beginning of her rugby league journey.
Despite her initial lack of experience, Tegu dedicated herself to training. “I only knew how to pass. After the camp, the other participants returned home, but I continued living and training at Kativerata’s house every day,” she explained. Eventually, she joined the Lami Steelers for the local women’s competition, where she served as captain and led the team to the semi-finals of the Fiji National Rugby League Women (FNRLW) premiership tournament.
Tegu expressed her surprise and joy at being selected for the Fiji Bulikula squad and taking on a center position. She noted the importance of team cohesion and the advice from their captain, Holmes, to engage more socially and work together effectively.
As they prepare for the match against the Cook Islands, Tegu emphasized the need to maintain strong defensive strategies. “It is crucial that every player executes their individual roles, running their lines properly and ensuring our defensive formation remains solid without weaknesses,” she added.