TEARS streamed down Alfreda Fisher’s face in England during a press conference in the lead-up to their final pool match against Wales during the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup last month.
Her team, the Vodafone Fijiana XV, had already lost to Canada 7-65 and Scotland 15-29 at the time in their two pool matches.
Social media criticism of her leadership as captain and whether she possessed the relevant experience needed to lead a team of young and senior players was rife.
At the young age of 21, someone of her age would be wondering how to navigate the world.
However, for her, she wondered what would redeem her teammates and herself especially from the grim uncertainty she faced in leading the team in England.
There was a lot on young Alfreda’s shoulders and yet the one thing that kept her going was the stark advice of her parents to never walk away from a task but to see it to its end.
And with that in mind, it was a step forward towards redeeming not just herself but a team that desired a boost when they needed it the most.
But to get to the heart of how they overcame the post-match blues after their loss to Canada and their remaining pool games, first, it would mean delving into Fisher’s life prior to rugby on the island of Qamea.
Netball for most, rugby for Alfreda
When she was just a little girl growing up in the village of Togo on the island of Qamea in Cakaudrove, she recalled how girls playing rugby was not a welcome sight in the village.
“The first time I played rugby in the village, it was said girls could not play rugby but they could only play netball so when the boys would play touch, I would play with them by the sea and I didn’t care what the criticism from others would be,” she recalled.
Her earliest memory of her family’s support for the game stemmed from when villagers would gather at their home in the day or night to watch the Fiji 7s teams play and the massive attraction was due to her family having access to pay-TV service Sky Pacific.
And so began a lifelong devotion to the game, only broken off from time to time due to her concentration in her studies and her current work as an Ordinary Seawoman in the Republic of Fiji Navy.
Fisher’s childhood consisted of life mainly in Vanua Levu, where she attained her primary and secondary school education.
She attended Vuanicau Primary School in Togo, Qamea in years one to eight before she became a boarder at Bucalevu Secondary School in Taveuni.
At Bucalevu, she spent the entirety of her secondary school education there.
When her time at Bucalevu came to an end, she ventured into club rugby on Taveuni and had made a solid impression on Fijiana 7s scouts moving around at the time.
As her talent caught their eyes, another opportunity sprung up; the recruitment drive for the Republic of Fiji Navy.
However, as this opportunity opened up for her, another lay dormant – her fledging rugby career.
Unsure of which path to take, her parents’ advice set her on her chosen path.
“I was double-minded in deciding whether to continue playing or head to recruitment so my parents said that one day my playing days would come to an end so you need to secure your future and then you can take up rugby again,” Fisher recalled.
As she made her decision to sign up for recruitment, the next step was imminent.
“As I preparing to go for recruitment, I had informed my coaches in Taveuni that I would not be playing anymore, but I needed to find work since playing rugby would come to an end and I needed to fall back on something and playing couldn’t be the only thing.”
Now in the Navy, she had been completing short courses in her line of work when she was chosen to represent Suva in the under-20 category however, she was considered overage.
Alfreda wears the white jumper
She was part of the Fijiana XV team that travelled to Europe to play Scotland and the Netherlands last year.
After the two Tests, she and her teammates travelled eastward to the United Arab Emirates for the WXV 3.
Upon her return to work, she received news of an exciting offer.
“I returned to work and I was called by our forwards coach who asked if I wanted to try out for the (Rooster Chicken Fijian) Drua (Women).
“I only needed a release letter, and I asked God if I wanted to get back into playing since the Drua is something else entirely.”
It was apparent how the ultimatum of choosing between her work or rugby remained fresh in her mind, and after going through trials for the Drua, her name was picked in the main squad for the 2025 Super Rugby W season.
After her first season with the club, it ended with her being named the Rooster Chicken Women’s Player of the Year, an award she never expected to win.
“That was a great achievement for me, and I always give the utmost praise and thanks to God for it,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Fijiana XV faced the Wallaroos on May 2 this year in Suva and she recalled being told of her new role as captain.
“Before we played the Wallaroos, it was announced that I would lead the team.
“I didn’t know what to say, I had asked our coach to choose one of the senior players since I had only worn the white jersey twice last year.”
The decision by head coach Ioan Cunningham led her to wonder why she was considered for the role.
“I was unsure, but I prayed for it and thought maybe there was a reason for it and every time I’d go to sleep at night, I’d ask myself why.
“I asked our coach why I was chosen, and he said the management had thought one of the younger players should captain the team.
“So, this has been quite a long journey especially when you see the plans God has for you and His goodness.”
Memories of the past
Her father would always be a driving force behind his children’s endeavours and that support extended into their efforts in the sporting arena, something Fisher took into stride.
“My father would always say that he wanted to watch rugby on TV and see one of us wearing that so it used to motivate me,” she mentioned.
“One day, I told my father that one day I would wear that jersey and be shown on TV however everyone at home would not think much of it and would underestimate me.”
And from the day she wore that white jersey, it has been an upward progression for Fisher ever since.
Determined and hopeful
When asked by the media in England how she felt about leading the team against Wales at the time, Fisher broke down in tears.
“I’m a little excited and emotional because this is the last time we’ll be together as a team and (I) just want to really thank the girls for showing up everyday,” Fisher said as she fought back tears.
“I know it’s been a tough few weeks of training, trying to come every day in training, trying to fill in and we are really excited for this week.
“I know it’s the last one, but we’ll give our best and we are going to finish on a high.”
And true to her word, they did. The Fijiana XV beat Wales 28-25 in their final pool match and when the final whistle was blown, the tears ran down her face.
“I cried because in every match, my name was always mentioned and in that very game, I knew for sure that my name would not be dragged or that people would not even criticise my leadership,” she recalled.
“When the BBC interviewed me, I didn’t know what to tell them. That was a massive undertaking so I am thankful to God for guiding me every day in my decision-making and to the coaches as well.”
Parents: the reason for the mission
Her parents, who have been by her side through various aspects of her life, were credited by her as her greatest source of motivation.
“My biggest motivation has always been my mom and dad back in the village, and I’m not just representing them.
“I am also representing Fiji in women’s rugby so there’s a purpose in everything and I always return all the praise and glory to God.”
