NRL 2025: RLWC26; Bulikula qualify for World Cup in big boost for women's sport in Fiji

Author: Brad Walter NRL Senior Reporter
Timestamp: Mon 27 Oct 2025, 12:29 PM

An emotional Joe Dakuitoga declared the Bulikula’s qualification for next year’s World Cup was not just a boost for women’s rugby league in Fiji - but all female sport.

Fiji secured the eighth and final women’s RLWC26 berth with a 62-4 defeat of Nigeria in the final of IRL Rugby League World Series at Terry Fox Stadium in Brampton, Ontario on Sunday.

It is the first time the Bulikula have qualified for a World Cup and Dakuitoga choked back tears as he spoke of the role development programs in Fiji had played in the team’s success.

“As I have said before, we want to qualify for this World Cup … I am so emotional, it has been a journey for the past few years and to be here and to qualify for the World Cup I can’t believe it,” Dakuitoga said.

“For us it is a big achievement. We started this program in 2019, then it stopped for a while (because of COVID) and it started again in 2023.

“To be here in 2025 and to qualify for the World Cup it is a big boost for the sport of women’s rugby league in Fiji, and I think all over for the world.

“We want to promote gender equality in Fiji, and we have especially tried to lift the standard of women’s sport in Fiji, not only rugby league.

“If the men can compete in the World Cup, why not the women. We are so blessed to be part of the 2026 World Cup."

Fiji players posed for a team photo at Niagara Falls during their trip to Canada for the IRL World Series. ©Fiji Bulikula

The Bulikula squad that travelled to Canada for the World Series included four players from the Fiji National Rugby League’s Rise Rookie program, including Naomi Tegu, who scored a second half try.

Despite losing NRLW stars Talei Holmes, Taine Naividi and Lusana Lutu before the tournament, the Bulikula managed to post a 48-0 win over Canada in the semi-final and conceded just one try in the first half against Nigeria.

Buliluka captain and fullback Cass Staples, who plays for the Sharks, scored four tries in the final while Knights prop Leilani Asham finished with a hat-trick.

Staples praised the growth of the game in Fiji and also paid tribute to the efforts of Nigeria and the other teams at the World Series - Canada and Ireland.

“I am a bit lost for words but incredibly proud of the group we have got today and where the program is heading in Fiji,” Staples said.

Sharks star Cass Staples scored four tries as she led Fiji to victory in their World Cup qualifier against Nigeria. ©Colin Watson

“Nigeria were extremely physical so they gave us a run for our money in terms of physicality out on the field.

"They are not a light side, and I look forward to the growth of their program as well and the development of rugby league in their country.

Fiji will join Australia, New Zealand, England, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, France and Wales as the eight women’s teams contesting RLWC26 in Australia and PNG at the end of next season.

Fiji and Nigeria players come together after the World Series final, which saw the Bulikula qualify for RLWC26. ©Colin Watson

“Rugby league is growing across the globe, and we are seeing that here with the connections on and off the field,” Staples said.

“I can’t be any more prouder of the girls who are here today and the nations who have taken part in this World Series. I think it is a credit and a statement to the growth of the game across the globe.”