Staples leads Fiji to cusp of World Cup berth

Fiji captain Cass Staples has credited the team's off-field connection for a stunning on-field performance that has the Bulikula on the cusp of a place at next year's IRL Rugby League World Cup.

The Bulikula ran in 10 tries to beat Canada 48-0 in their IRL World Series semi-final in Ontario and set up a play-off against Nigeria for the eighth and final women's berth at the World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Canada has featured at the past two World Cups in 2017 and 2022 but are now out of contention for RLWC2026, while the Bulikula aim to become Fiji's first women's team to play at a World Cup.

"The girls have been great over here, with the limited time we have had together the connection has been awesome," Staples said. "I think it’s truly a strength of Fiji as a nation to connect off the field before they step on it.

"We stuck to our game plan tonight and executed but the job isn’t done yet - we look towards our game now against Nigeria.

"We’ll take the small step forward tonight and focus on our recovery, prep and performance leading into the next few days."

Nigeria created history by winning their first match outside Africa when they defeated Ireland 10-0 in the earlier semi-final.

Fiji coach Joe Dakuitoga said the upset result was a warning to the Bulikula of what can happen in sudden-death matches.

The Bulikula stormed home to secure their place in Sunday's final, piling on 22 points in the last 10 minutes against the Ravens.

“We have prepared well because we need that spot in the World Cup,” Dakuitoga said.

“We saw the first upset of the day, when Nigeria beat Ireland. We meet Nigeria in the final so may the best team win and qualify for the World Cup next year.”

The Bulikula were made to work hard by an equally determined Canadian side in the first half and it took 17 minutes before Canberra Raiders back Isabella Waterman crossed for the first try.

Wingers Tahlia Marshall and Maria Paseka crossed soon after but the Ravens held on to trail 12-0 at halftime.

Paseka, who plays for St George Illawarra Dragons, finished with a hat-trick, while Waterman and Marshall, a Queensland BMD Cup premiership winner with Brisbane Tigers, each scored two tries.

Staples, from Cronulla Sharks, Rabbitohs Tarsha Gale Cup lock Kelilani Manu and Burleigh Bears centre Sienna Laing - one of three daughters of former Bati star Aseri Laing  in the side - were the other tryscorers.

“Everyone wants to play in the World Cup so Canada was prepared to give us a hard game and they gave us a hard game tonight,” Dakuitoga said.

“Fortunately, we managed to come through in the first game and we are looking forward to the next game against Nigeria.

“For us we will just go back to process to see the weaknesses we had today and try to improve on that. We will work on our structure and prepare ourselves against Nigeria.”

Both coaches agreed the scoreline didn’t reflect the competitiveness of the game, with Fiji piling on 22 points in the last 10 minutes.

“The result probably doesn’t reflect how hard we played. It was a massive testament to our team and a massive testament to how good Fiji are, so well done to their staff,” Ravens coach Matt Baron said.

“That was probably the best performance Canada has put in for a long time and it shows where we are going and it shows the level of rugby league we can play. I am really proud of the team.”