When Vodafone Fijiana XV player Adi Salaseini Railumu was asked “what’s the one thing that’s kept you and your sister going so far?”, her answer was, “our parents”.
She said this when asked by this newspaper, ahead of their appearance at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England later this month.
Railumu, who has been named in the team alongside her elder sister, Setaita, said their parents’ support was a compelling force that drove them to achieve their goals and realise their dreams.
“They’ve been there for us since we started playing rugby, and we’re doing this for them,” Setaita said.
The Nakelo, Tailevu, player shared those sentiments after their scrimmage session at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka earlier this month and was named with her sister in the final 32-member squad for the Rugby World Cup shortly after.
The sisters were named in the final team by head coach Ioan Cunningham and entered the squad from the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women.
For the duo, their parents’ support has been further amplified by their calls, helping bridge the long distance separating them.
“Very strong,” Setaita said when asked what the support had been like.
“They are very supportive, we have no time to go home and see them, but they just contact us.”
Railumu and her sister, Adi Salaseini, who play the roles of loose forward and half-back respectively, were part of the extended training squad that marched into camp.
In an interview for The Fiji Times’ Super Rugby Pacific Games Guide 2025 magazine, she shared how rugby was not just a platform but a platform to glorify God and inspire others. She had credited her spiritual foundation and mission work with the Apostolic Live Ministry Church Missionary team as the driving force behind her journey in rugby.
Meanwhile, the Fijiana XV meets Canada in their first World Cup pool match this Saturday.