Fiji Bulikula head coach Jone Wesele says Naomi Tegu’s place in the national women’s rugby league squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup — as the only locally based player named — is an important step for the growth of the women’s game in Fiji. Wesele’s comments were reported by FBC News on 7 October 2026, days before the Bulikula open their campaign against New Zealand.
Key facts
- Tegu is the only home-based player in the Bulikula squad, according to FBC News.
- Wesele says her selection was earned through her performances in this season’s competition at home, not handed to her.
- FBC News reports the Bulikula meet New Zealand in their first match next Sunday at 2.50pm.
- Fiji’s women’s pool opponents are New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and France, per Pacific outlet thecoconet.tv.
- The tournament is being played across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, thecoconet.tv reports.
Why it matters
For a squad built largely from players based overseas, Tegu’s inclusion gives Fiji’s domestic women’s competition a direct line to the World Cup stage. Wesele frames it as a test case: if a player developed at home can hold her own against New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and France, the pathway opens for others. That argument matters to a code where Fiji’s international sides, including the men’s squad drawn heavily from NRL clubs, have leaned on professional players abroad.
What the coach said
Wesele told FBC News that Tegu carries an obligation beyond her own performance. “She has a big responsibility on her shoulders because she’s the one who’s going to show the world what our local girls are capable of,” he said, according to the broadcaster.
The coach also pushed back on any suggestion the selection was a token gesture, saying she had “every right” to be in the team after playing, in his words, tremendously well at home this season, FBC News reported. Wesele said he expects Tegu to bring her best to the Bulikula campaign and prove she belongs among the country’s best players, and described her selection as a chance to open the door for more girls rather than the end of the pathway.
Fiji Bulikula’s draw
thecoconet.tv reports the Bulikula open against New Zealand in Newcastle, then face Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby, before meeting France on the Gold Coast. FBC News gives the kick-off for the opening match as 2.50pm next Sunday; neither report attaches a calendar date to the women’s fixture.
RNZ reports the World Cup kicks off in Australia next week.
The named Bulikula squad
thecoconet.tv lists the Fiji Bulikula squad as: Leilani Ahsam, Teaghan Hartigan, Talei Holmes, Tamika Jones, Ebony Laing, Sienna Laing, Lorren Ieli, Losana Lutu, Tahlia Marshall, Ema Masi, Rory Muller, Sereana Naitokatoka, Tanina Naividi, Elizabeth Naleba, Aliti Namoce, Maria Paseka, Abigayle Sekitoga, Latisha Smythe, Cassie Staples, Naomi Tegu, Nanise Vakacavu, Isabella Waterman and Luisa Yaranamua.
Fiji’s men in the ‘pool of death’
The women’s campaign runs alongside a difficult men’s draw. thecoconet.tv says the Fiji Bati face a tough Pool A against the Cook Islands, Australia and New Zealand. RNZ describes that group as the “pool of death”, with the top two of the four advancing to the semi-finals, and says Fiji, like the Cook Islands, has the tougher road against two of the world’s leading sides. Fiji Bati named their own World Cup squad without Viliame Kikau earlier this month.
RNZ reports Fiji’s men meet the Cook Islands in their opener in Newcastle on Sunday 18 October.
Background: the Pacific field
thecoconet.tv reports the men’s competition features the Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand, while the women’s tournament includes Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and New Zealand.
RNZ reports that the Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea were the last of the Pacific nations to confirm men’s squads, following Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Cook Islands coach Karmichael Hunt unveiled his squad on Tuesday, RNZ says, including former Australia representative Valentine Holmes, who will make his World Cup debut for the Aitu alongside co-captains KL Iro and Marata Niukore. The Cook Islands qualified by beating South Africa, according to both RNZ and thecoconet.tv — RNZ dates that win to last year, while thecoconet.tv does not give a date.
Host nation Papua New Guinea named a squad mixing NRL, Super League and Hostplus Cup players, revealed by head coach Jason Demetriou, RNZ reports, and open against Lebanon in Port Moresby on Saturday 17 October. Both outlets report the Kumuls are without South Sydney’s Alex Johnston through injury; RNZ calls him the NRL’s greatest-ever try-scorer.
Tegu’s selection lands in a year when Fiji’s women’s teams in other codes have also been in the spotlight. Fiji News has not independently verified the squad lists or fixture times reported by FBC News, thecoconet.tv and RNZ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Pacific teams are in the women’s Rugby League World Cup?
According to thecoconet.tv, the women’s tournament includes Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and New Zealand. The PNG Orchids are captained by Elsie Albert and will face New Zealand, Fiji and France, while Fetu Samoa named Annetta Nu’uausala as captain.
Who is missing from the Fiji Bati men’s squad?
thecoconet.tv reports the Bati will be without forwards Tui Kamikamica and Viliame Kikau, and that fullback Jahream Bula is also unavailable. The same report says Apisai Koroisau is expected to take on a major leadership role for the side.
How far has Fiji gone at previous men’s Rugby League World Cups?
thecoconet.tv reports Fiji have reached the men’s World Cup semi-finals three times — in 2008, 2013 and 2017. The outlet does not list a previous women’s World Cup result for Fiji.
Where is the 2026 Rugby League World Cup being played?
thecoconet.tv says the 2026 tournament gets underway across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. RNZ reports it kicks off in Australia next week, with Papua New Guinea hosting matches in Port Moresby.
