FIJIANA XVs player Josivini Naihamu has caught the eye of World Rugby and earned herself a nomination for the Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year 2025 award at the World Rugby Awards.
World Rugby says Naihamu has “made an outstanding impact in their debut international season and are set to shape the future of the game.”
She is nominated alongside New Zealand players Jorja Miller and Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
Her nomination for the top award comes after her participation with the Vodafone Fijiana XV during the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England recently.
According to World Rugby, her consideration for the award was made when she scored two tries in their final pool match against Wales.
Her daring dual effort was regarded as the most tries scored by a player in a single tournament.
She has also scored seven tries in six Tests, including a hat-trick when she made her debut in the white jumper against Tonga during the Oceania Women’s Rugby XV Championship, where Fiji won 54-5.
Earning a World Rugby Award nomination after a year of achievements for the Vagadra, Nadroga player comes after the Women’s Rugby World Cup, where her family would walk to another house in the village to watch her play in England.
This was revealed to her by her mother Vilisi Misimisi when her daughter returned from England following the world cup.
At the time, Misimisi mentioned how she shouted in joy and thanked God for everything when Naihamu crossed the try-line twice in their final pool match against Wales.
Naihamu’s resounding performance at the world stage and World Rugby’s eventual recognition of her talent also come after she received the 2025 Encore Women’s Rookie of the Year award during the Fijian Drua awards in June this year.
She is also the younger sister of Japan winger Jone Naikabula.
