In a touching moment for the Vodafone Fijiana XV team, sisters Setaita Railumu and Adi Salaseini Railumu will share the field together for the first time while wearing the national jersey.
Setaita, the elder sister, has been a key player for the Vodafone Fijiana XV since 2022 and has represented the Fijiana Drua team as well. Now, her younger sister, Adi Salaseini, is preparing to make her debut on the international scene as part of the national squad.
This occasion is particularly special for the Railumu family, marking a significant achievement for them. Setaita expressed her pride in Adi, acknowledging the hard work and sacrifices made during training.
“When I heard the manager announce the names, and then my sister’s name, I started crying! I’m so thrilled to be representing Fiji alongside my sister. This is a dream come true for our parents, who have always stood by us since we began our rugby journey,” Setaita shared.
Adi Salaseini reflected on their shared history, recalling their victory in the Women’s Skipper Cup for Tailevu in 2019 and their recruitment into the extended national squad in 2021. She expressed her excitement about finally joining her sister in the national team after Setaita’s earlier achievements.
“I’ve always admired how Setaita plays, and every time her team won, it made our family proud. I aim to bring that same joy to our family by helping our team win,” Adi commented.
The sisters are eager to travel to Scotland for their first test match on Sunday, September 15, which is set to kickoff at 3:45 am (FJT) at the Hive Stadium.
Following this match, the Vodafone Fijiana XV will make history by traveling to the Netherlands for their inaugural game against the Orange Ladies on Thursday, September 19, at NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam.
Later, the Vodafone Fijiana XV will face formidable opponents in the WXV3 tournament, competing against Hong Kong China, Samoa, and Spain. The tournament begins on September 27.