IT was an emotional and unforgettable moment for Vodafone Fijiana XV captain Alfreda Fisher, who led her side to a 24-20 victory over Samoa to retain the Oceania Women’s Rugby Championship title at Lawaqa Park.
But what made the triumph even more special was the sight of her younger brother, Jaycob Fisher, cheering her on from the grandstand.
Fisher, who has worn the captain’s armband with pride throughout the tournament, credited her teammates for their resilience, especially under pressure in the second half.
“I want to thank the girls for putting in the effort and maintaining discipline even though we failed in some areas,” she said. “We managed to pull that off, and I thank the girls for coming out strong and defending our title.”
The match wasn’t without its challenges. Samoa’s powerful forward pack dominated the scrums and threatened to overturn the scoreline in the second half. But Fisher kept her composure and reminded her team of their purpose.
“My message to the girls was to think of our families, Fiji, and our fans,” she added.
For Alfreda, seeing her brother in the crowd added a deeply personal layer to the historic win.
“Even though my parents couldn’t make it, I thank my brother for coming and supporting me. That meant so much,” she said, visibly emotional after the final whistle.
Jaycob Fisher, beaming with pride in the stands, said watching his sister lead the nation was a proud family moment.
“She has made our household name famous, and we are proud of that,” he said. “I thank her for everything she’s done for our family and for Fiji.”
Despite the physical toll of the match, the courageous skipper stood tall in front of the cheering home crowd, acknowledging the fans who had backed them throughout the campaign.
With the title successfully defended, Alfreda Fisher’s leadership, resilience, and emotional connection to her family and country have etched her name in Fijiana rugby history.
