At just 19 years old, Ilisapeci Bari is proud to carry on her father’s legacy in the world of sports. This time, however, she is stepping into the realm of rugby league as a member of the Fiji Bulikula team competing in the Pacific Bowl Championship.
Bari is the daughter of Manasa Bari, a former national rugby star who played as a winger. Manasa was part of the men’s rugby sevens team that won the Rugby World Cup sevens in 1997 and was one of the first Fijian athletes to participate in Super Rugby, playing for the Highlanders and earning the nickname “Black Pearl.”
Despite her father’s rugby union background, Ilisapeci plays in the front row for the Canterbury Bulldogs. She began her rugby league journey in 2022, encouraged by her grandmother and father.
“I started playing rugby league back in 2022,” Bari shared with SUNsports. “My grandmother and dad encouraged me to play rugby league.” She expressed her desire to give back to her family in Fiji, noting, “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 acknowledged the pressure of her selection but emphasized the motivational support from her family during matches. “It is a lot of pressure but having that support from the family on the field and hearing them cheer me on motivates me as well,” she stated.
She believes that divine intervention played a role in her selection for the Bulikula team. “I started off playing AFL (Australian Football League) back in Darwin, Australia. My parents wouldn’t let me play rugby until dad finally gave in for me to play. I played for the Darwin sisters, then I was selected to represent Fiji in 2022 before being scouted by Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney.”
Her father was thrilled to learn of her selection for the Bulikula team. “He never thought that one of his kids would be representing Fiji, especially at 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.”
Bari also has ties to former Fiji Bati forward Eloni Vunakece.