At just 19 years old, Ilisapeci Bari is proudly following in her father’s footsteps in the world of sports. This time, however, she is making her mark in rugby league as a member of the Fiji Bulikula team for the Pacific Bowl Championship.
Bari is the daughter of former national rugby star winger Manasa Bari, who was part of the men’s rugby sevens team that clinched the Rugby World Cup sevens title in 1997. He was also among the first Fijian players to compete in Super Rugby, representing the Highlanders and earning the nickname “Black Pearl.”
While her father made a name in rugby union, Bari competes in the front row for the Canterbury Bulldogs. She shared with SUNsports, “I started playing rugby league back in 2022, encouraged by my grandmother and dad.”
Bari expressed her desire to give back to her family in Fiji, saying, “It takes a whole village to raise a child, so I’m trying to give back to them, and that’s my main target. It is a lot of pressure, but having that support from my family on the field and hearing them cheer motivates me.”
She also believes that her selection for the Bulikula team was guided by a higher power. “I started off playing AFL (Australian Football League) in Darwin, Australia. My parents initially wouldn’t let me play rugby until my dad finally agreed,” Bari explained. “I played for the Darwin sisters and then got selected to represent Fiji in 2022, which led to my scouting by the Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney.”
Bari’s father was thrilled upon learning about her selection for the Bulikula team. “He never expected one of his children to represent Fiji, especially at such a young age. He said it was all in God’s plan, and I encourage young girls to seize their opportunities because they only come once in a lifetime.”
Additionally, Bari is related to former Fiji Bati forward Eloni Vunakece.
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