Fiji Bulikula head coach Joe Dakuitoga is keeping a close watch on the recent signing of former Fijiana 7s, Adi Vani Buleki with the Bulldogs, as the Fiji Bulikula team prepare for the World Cup qualifier program in October.
Dakuitoga and the coaching staff are monitoring Buleki’s transition to rugby league, observing her adaptation to the game’s rules and assessing her performance.
The final selection for the team’s roster before their journey to Canada in October will take into account the progress and impact of players like Buleki.
“Of course, if she’s already eyed by the NRL club, we will be looking out for her, especially to be part of our program for the World Cup qualifier,” said Dakuitoga.
“We will see her progress, regarding her involvement in rugby league, see how she goes, how she acts on the rugby league game rules, and we will make up our final selection before October before we travel to Canada.”
“We are so grateful for the Women’s Rugby League competition in the country, and I’m so blessed to see 11 teams that will participate this year in the 2025 Fiji National Rugby League Women’s competition which will start at the end of the month.
“This will give us an opportunity to select players that will be vying for a position in the World Cup qualifier.”
Reflecting on the composition of last year’s team, which primarily consisted of young players, Dakuitoga emphasises the importance of maintaining continuity within the squad.
The Bulikula team are looking to recruit top-quality players from Australia to complement the local talent in Fiji.
“If you look at the team last year, they were all young players. So, we’d rather keep the core of those young players to be part of the process to the 2026 World Cup rather than keep on changing players every year.
“We will try an identify the best players from Australia and try to blend with our local players here in Fiji, and to be part of our World Cup campaign.”
The Fiji Bulikula will face Canada in the semi-finals of the inaugural IRL Women’s Rugby League World Series on October 21 at Terry Fox Stadium.
