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Bulikula v Moana: Star Shark the No.1 woman; Matua returns from ban

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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.

Team News

Fiji Bulikula: Sharks grand final duo Cassie Staples and Talei Holmes headline the Bulikula side for the match against the Moana, with Staples at fullback and Holmes at lock. Wests Tigers halfback Losana Lutu steers the team around the park alongside Luisa Yaranamua in the halves.  No late changes, with Asenaca Diranuve the replacement player. 

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. The side will take the field as named, with Chazmin Holloway-Samuels the 18th woman. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Fiji Bulikula is number 1 Cassie Staples
    Fullback for Cook Islands Moana is number 1 Kiana Takairangi 
  • Winger for Fiji Bulikula is number 4 Vitalina Naikore
    Winger for Cook Islands Moana is number 2 Chantelle  Holloway-Samuels
  • Centre for Fiji Bulikula is number 3 Sienna Laing
    Centre for Cook Islands Moana is number 3 Tyler Birch
  • Centre for Fiji Bulikula is number 6 Taina Naividi
    Centre for Cook Islands Moana is number 4 Kaiyah Atai
  • Winger for Fiji Bulikula is number 19 Abigayle Sekitoga
    Winger for Cook Islands Moana is number 5 Kiarah Siauane
  • Five-Eighth for Fiji Bulikula is number 17 Luisa Yaranamua
    Five-Eighth for Cook Islands Moana is number 6 Charntay Poko
  • Halfback for Fiji Bulikula is number 5 Losana Lutu
    Halfback for Cook Islands Moana is number 7 Lydia  Turua-Quedley

Forwards

  • Prop for Fiji Bulikula is number 2 Ilisapeci Bari
    Prop for Cook Islands Moana is number 8 Crystal Tamarua
  • Hooker for Fiji Bulikula is number 9 Sereana Naitokatoka
    Hooker for Cook Islands Moana is number 9 Chelsea Makira
  • Prop for Fiji Bulikula is number 15 Aliti Namoce
    Prop for Cook Islands Moana is number 10 April Ngatupuna
  • 2nd Row for Fiji Bulikula is number 11 Nanise Vakacavu
    2nd Row for Cook Islands Moana is number 11 Jazmon Tupou-Witchman 
  • 2nd Row for Fiji Bulikula is number 12 Latisha Smythe
    2nd Row for Cook Islands Moana is number 12 Kerehitina Matua
  • Lock for Fiji Bulikula is number 18 Talei Holmes
    Lock for Cook Islands Moana is number 13 Anneka Stephens

Interchange

  • Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 14 Anastacia Shum-Cottrell
    Interchange for Cook Islands Moana is number 14 Jodeci Joseph
  • Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 20 Mere Kilawekana
    Interchange for Cook Islands Moana is number 15 Lavinia Kitai
  • Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 21 Ema Rainima
    Interchange for Cook Islands Moana is number 18 Tahleisha Maeva
  • Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 25 Teaghan Hartigan
    Interchange for Cook Islands Moana is number 19 Ryvrr-Lee Alo

Reserves

  • Replacement for Fiji Bulikula is number 10 Asenaca Diranuve 
    Replacement for Cook Islands Moana is number 21 Chazmin Holloway-Samuels 

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, 

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.