Fiji Bulikula and Cook Islands Moana kick off their 2024 Pacific Championships campaigns when they face off at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday.
Both teams played in Port Moresby in their only games of the 2023 tournament, with both sides suffering losses.
This year, Bulikula will enjoy the support of the home crowd, while a number of their players have also had more international experience this season, with two members of the side featuring for the Fiji side who appeared in the Harvey Norman Women's National Championships earlier this year.
While nations will field new-look line-ups, both have selected strong squads with considerable NRLW experience, with Fiji’s overall squad featuring seven players with NRLW experience, while Cook Islands have 10. However, only three - Toru Arakua, Kere Matua and Jazmon Tupou-Witchman - played in 2024.
Of those, Arakua still has one match to serve of a two-match ban for a dangerous throw while playing for the Titans in Round 8.
Fiji's Cronulla Sharks duo Talei Holmes and Cassie Staples recently played in the NRLW grand final and their experience will be vital for the Bulikula's chances of a win.
The game will also hold plenty of extra meaning, with a place in the World Cup qualifying final after up for grabs, with the winner to travel to Auckland to play Fetu Samoa at Go Media Stadium on November 2, with a World Cup berth up for grabs.
Match: Fiji Bulikula v Cook Islands Moana
Week 2 -
home Team
Fiji Bulikula
away Team
Cook Islands Moana
Venue: HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Fiji Bulikula: Sharks grand final duo Cassie Staples and Talei Holmes headline the Bulikula side for the match against the Moana. Staples will play at fullback and Holmes at lock, with West Tigers halfback Losana Lutu to steer the team around the park. Vitalina Naikore, who played with North Queensland this year, is on the wing, while Rooster Taina Naividi, normally a fullback, will feature at centre. Mere Kilawekana, who played for the Fiji side at this year’s Harvey Norman Women’s National Championships will come off the bench, while her teammate at the tournament held on the Gold Coast this year Asenaca Diranuve has been named as 18th player. Sereana Naitokatoka, who moved to the Raiders this past season and played six games, will start at hooker. Rusila Camaibure and Sereana Maragi dropped out on Friday when the squad was trimmed.
Cook Islands Moana: Experienced campaigner Kiana Takairangi will co-captain the side from fullback and will be a key player for Cook Islands in their quest for a World Cup berth. The side will also be led by former Dragon Anneka Stephens who was named NRL WA’s player of the year, starring for Joondalup Giants. Rising youngster Jazmon Tupou-Witchman, who played for the Cowboys this year is in the second row alongside Raiders forward Kere Matua, who returns to action after serving a two-match ban. There were changes on Friday when the squad was trimmed to 19 players, with Tyler Birch moving from the bench to start at centre in place of Chazmin Holloway-Samuels, who is the 18th player. Elianna Walton also drops out of the squad, with Tahleisha Maeva and Ryvrr-Lee Alo added to the bench.
Match: Fiji Bulikula v Cook Islands Moana
Week 2 -
home Team
Fiji Bulikula
away Team
Cook Islands Moana
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Fiji Bulikula is number 1 Cassie StaplesFullback for Cook Islands Moana is number 1 Kiana Takairangi
-
Winger for Fiji Bulikula is number 4 Vitalina NaikoreWinger for Cook Islands Moana is number 2 Kiarah Siauane
-
Centre for Fiji Bulikula is number 3 Sienna LaingCentre for Cook Islands Moana is number 3 Tyler Birch
-
Centre for Fiji Bulikula is number 6 Taina NaividiCentre for Cook Islands Moana is number 4 Kaiyah Atai
-
Winger for Fiji Bulikula is number 19 Abigayle SekitogaWinger for Cook Islands Moana is number 5 Chantelle Holloway-Samuels
-
Five-Eighth for Fiji Bulikula is number 17 Luisa YaranamuaFive-Eighth for Cook Islands Moana is number 6 Charntay Poko
-
Halfback for Fiji Bulikula is number 5 Losana LutuHalfback for Cook Islands Moana is number 7 Lydia Turua-Quedley
Forwards
-
Prop for Fiji Bulikula is number 2 Ilisapeci BariProp for Cook Islands Moana is number 8 Crystal Tamarua
-
Hooker for Fiji Bulikula is number 9 Sereana NaitokatokaHooker for Cook Islands Moana is number 9 Chelsea Makira
-
Prop for Fiji Bulikula is number 15 Aliti NamoceProp for Cook Islands Moana is number 10 April Ngatupuna
-
2nd Row for Fiji Bulikula is number 11 Nanise Vakacavu2nd Row for Cook Islands Moana is number 11 Jazmon Tupou-Witchman
-
2nd Row for Fiji Bulikula is number 12 Latisha Smythe2nd Row for Cook Islands Moana is number 12 Kerehitina Matua
-
Lock for Fiji Bulikula is number 18 Talei HolmesLock for Cook Islands Moana is number 13 Anneka Stephens
Interchange
-
Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 14 Anastacia Shum-CottrellInterchange for Cook Islands Moana is number 14 Jodeci Joseph
-
Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 20 Mere KilawekanaInterchange for Cook Islands Moana is number 15 Lavinia Kitai
-
Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 21 Ema RainimaInterchange for Cook Islands Moana is number 18 Tahleisha Maeva
-
Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 25 Teaghan HartiganInterchange for Cook Islands Moana is number 19 Ryvrr-Lee Alo
Reserves
-
Replacement for Fiji Bulikula is number 10 Asenaca DiranuveReplacement for Cook Islands Moana is number 21 Chazmin Holloway-Samuels
-
Reserve for Fiji Bulikula is number 8 Sereana MaragiReserve for Cook Islands Moana is number 17 Wanita Leatherby
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Fiji Bulikula play their first Test on home soil since 1998.
- Cook Islands have won only one of their past four Tests.
- Fiji’s squad includes seven players with NRLW experience.
- Cook Islands have 10 players who have appeared in the NRLW, but only three who played in 2024.
- Fiji pair Talei Holmes and Cassie Staples played for Cronulla in the NRLW grand final.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
