SPORT UNITES
From left: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, President Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama during the Prime Minister’s XIII women’s rugby league match at the ANZ Stadium in Suva on October 11, 2019.
Fijian Bulikula coach Adrian Vowles believes the team have again proven they belong at the 2021 Rugby League Women’s World Cup after their performance against the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII, last night. The Australians eventually won 22-14 but only took the lead in the final 20 minutes as the Fijians pushed them to the wire at Suva’s ANZ Stadium.
Fiji was ruled out of the 2021 RLWWC by the Rugby League International Federation (RFIL) despite in their first game thrashed world’s No.6 Papua New Guinea 28-0 in their maiden international match.
Calling the decision the “greatest injustice ever,” Vowles said his team was good enough to compete at the World Cup.
“I’m very proud of the girls. If we hung on to the footy towards the end, (I think) we win this game. I couldn’t ask for a more spirited performance,” he said.
“It’ll take a lot for them (RFIL) to change their minds but I think if they watch our game (last night), they’ll realise their mistake.”
The game was played in four 20-minute quarters, with the Josephine Maejiirscaptained Bulikula on top for much of the first three. Winger Patricia Raikadroka, who represented Fiji against PNG in June, scored three of the visitors’ five tries which ultimately proved the difference.
Fiji’s tries came from winger Seseli Donu, five-eighth Vasiti Ramotiqa and hooker Asena Rokorama. Other notable performances from centre Tanika Marshall, prop Canecia Sims and half-back Sereana Naitokatoka.
“I thought the effort we put in tonight for the people of Fiji was amazing and it shows the young girls in Fiji that we’ve got a good footy side here,” Vowles said.
Other results: Fiji Defence Force Women 10-10 Australia Defence Force Women; Australia Defence Force Men 2220 Army Bears (Fiji)