A touching moment for the Vodafone Fijiana XV team is set to unfold as sisters Setaita Railumu and Adi Salaseini Railumu take the field together for the first time in the national team’s white jersey.
Setaita, the elder sister, has been a vital member of the Vodafone Fijiana XV since 2022 and has also played for the Fijiana Drua team. In contrast, her younger sister, Adi Salaseini, is making her international debut with the national team.
For the Railumu family, this occasion is a realization of a long-held dream. Setaita expressed immense pride in her sister, particularly for the hard work she has put in during training.
“When I heard the manager announce the names and my sister’s name, I couldn’t help but cry! I am elated to represent Fiji alongside her. This is a dream come true for our parents, who have always supported our rugby journey,” Setaita shared.
Adi Salaseini recalled their rugby experience together in 2019 when they won the Women’s Skipper Cup for Tailevu. She highlighted that although Setaita progressed to the national team and the Fijiana Drua first, she is thrilled to now join her sister.
The younger Railumu sister is determined to leave her mark in her inaugural test match. “Watching Setaita play and seeing how proud our family felt when her team won has motivated me. I want to bring that same pride and joy to our family by helping our team achieve victory,” she said.
Both sisters are eagerly preparing for their first test match against Scotland on Sunday, September 15, with the match scheduled to kick off at 3:45 am (FJT) at the Hive Stadium.
After this match, the Vodafone Fijiana XV will embark on a significant journey to the Netherlands for their inaugural match against the Orange Ladies, set for Thursday, September 19, at the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam.
Following these matches, the Vodafone Fijiana XV will face formidable opponents in the WXV3 tournament, with challenging encounters against Hong Kong China, Samoa, and Spain, starting on September 27.