At just 19 years old, Ilisapeci Bari is proud to carry on her father’s sports legacy. This time, however, she is making her mark in rugby league as a member of the Fiji Bulikula team for the upcoming Pacific Bowl Championship.
Bari is the daughter of Manasa Bari, a former national rugby star and winger who played a key role in the men’s rugby sevens team that clinched the Rugby World Cup sevens title in 1997. He was one of the first Fijian players to compete in Super Rugby, playing for the Highlanders and earning the nickname “Black Pearl.”
While her father made a name for himself in rugby union, Bari plays in the front row for the Canterbury Bulldogs in rugby league. She began her journey in rugby league in 2022, encouraged by her grandmother and father to pursue the sport.
“I started playing rugby league back in 2022,” Bari shared. “My grandmother and dad encouraged me to play rugby league.” She expressed her desire to give back to her community in Fiji, emphasizing, “It takes a whole village to raise a child, so I’m trying to give back to them, and that’s my main target.”
Bari admits feeling pressure but finds motivation in the support from her family during matches. She believes her selection for the Bulikula team was a result of divine intervention, stating, “I started off playing AFL (Australian Football League) back in Darwin, Australia. My parents wouldn’t let me play rugby until dad finally agreed.”
Bari began her rugby career with the Darwin sisters before being chosen to represent Fiji in 2022, which led to her recruitment by the Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney. Her father was thrilled by her selection for the Bulikula team, remarking that he never imagined one of his children would represent Fiji, especially at such a young age.
“He said it was all in God’s plan, and I urge young girls out there to take their opportunities with both hands because it only comes once in a lifetime,” she advised. Bari also has a family connection to former Fiji Bati player Eloni Vunakece.
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