Fiji Bulikula’s winger Vitalina Naikore delivered an outstanding performance, scoring three tries to lead her team 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 former standout for 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 struck first, with prop Kerehitina Matua scoring in the ninth minute. Fiji’s captain, Talei Holmes, responded by scoring in the 17th minute following significant pressure, and Naikore added her first try five minutes later, giving Fiji a 10-6 lead at halftime.
Naikore extended the lead with her second try early in the second half, capitalizing on a precise kick from halfback Losana Lutu that landed perfectly for her to sprint away and score.
Earning the Player of the Match honor, Naikore secured her hat-trick in the 60th minute when the Cook Islands found themselves outnumbered on the right side of the field after the fourth tackle.
The Bulikula are set to travel to New Zealand, where they will face Samoa in the final for a chance to secure a spot in the World Cup. This decisive match is scheduled for Saturday, November 2, at the Go Media Stadium in Auckland.
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