Litiana Naqatalevu left Beqa Island early yesterday to join the Fiji Bulikula national women’s rugby league team for their morning practice at Albert Park in Suva. Spending $100 on travel expenses was worthwhile for Naqatalevu, as she reunited with her niece, Losana Lutu, after 12 years.
Naqatalevu shared her pride in Losana, whose father is her brother. “When Losana was growing up, I always knew she would excel in sports because she had a talent for it,” she remarked.
The 20-year-old Lutu is emerging as a standout player in the National Rugby League Women (NRLW) in Australia. As part of the Bulikula team, she is one of the players to watch when they face the Cook Islands at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva this Saturday.
In preparation for the game, Naqatalevu noted that their village in Naceva, Beqa, is getting ready with banners to support Losana and the team. “We’re all coming to the stadium to support Losana and the girls as they take on the Cook Islands,” she said.