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Fetu Samoa v Fiji Bulikula: Late forward switch; Maragi, Muller in for Fiji

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There is everything to play for this weekend when Fetu Samoa take on Fiji Bulikula in Auckland, with the winner to secure their spot in the next Rugby League World Cup.

Samoa booked their place in the play-off final after proving too strong for Tonga in their 30-16 victory, while Fiji overcame Cook Islands Moana to claim their opportunity to challenge for the coveted spot. 

The Samoa side started strongly in their win, but had to stave off a concerted fightback from Tonga to hold on for their victory, with lock Sienna Lofipo putting in a shift with 15 carries for 107 metres, including crossing for a try. 

For Fiji, winger Vitalina Naikore was the star, scoring a hat-trick in the 18-6 win to help the Bulikula pull away in the second half.

Both sides have plenty of NRLW experiences in their side, but Samoa have more in the key positions in the spine and have more club combinations, including Titans and Queensland teammates Lofipo and Evania Pelite.

Team News

Fetu Samoa: Evah McEwen gets a start at prop in place of Laikha Clarke in what is otherwise an unchanged 17 for coach Jamie Soward. Evania Pelite topped the metre count with 122 in her last game and returns at fullback, while captain Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala will lead the side from prop. 

Fiji Bulikula: Latisha Smythe moves from the second row to prop, with Teaghan Hartigan elevated from the bench to second row. Sereana Maragi moves back to the bench. Ema Rainima is the replacement player. Teenage Eels hooker Rory Muller has been promoted to the interchange after joining the Bulikula squad this week. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Fetu Samoa is number 1 Evania Pelite
    Fullback for Fiji Bulikula is number 1 Cassie Staples
  • Winger for Fetu Samoa is number 2 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
    Winger for Fiji Bulikula is number 4 Vitalina Naikore
  • Centre for Fetu Samoa is number 3 Lindsay Tui
    Centre for Fiji Bulikula is number 3 Sienna Laing
  • Centre for Fetu Samoa is number 4 Sarina Masaga
    Centre for Fiji Bulikula is number 6 Taina Naividi
  • Winger for Fetu Samoa is number 5 Jessica Patea
    Winger for Fiji Bulikula is number 19 Abigayle Sekitoga
  • Five-Eighth for Fetu Samoa is number 6 Tavarna Papalii
    Five-Eighth for Fiji Bulikula is number 17 Luisa Yaranamua
  • Halfback for Fetu Samoa is number 7 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
    Halfback for Fiji Bulikula is number 5 Losana Lutu

Forwards

  • Prop for Fetu Samoa is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala
    Prop for Fiji Bulikula is number 2 Ilisapeci Bari
  • Hooker for Fetu Samoa is number 9 Destiny Brill
    Hooker for Fiji Bulikula is number 9 Sereana Naitokatoka 
  • Prop for Fetu Samoa is number 17 Evah McEwen
    Prop for Fiji Bulikula is number 12 Latisha Smythe
  • 2nd Row for Fetu Samoa is number 11 Monalisa Soliola
    2nd Row for Fiji Bulikula is number 11 Nanise Vakacavu
  • 2nd Row for Fetu Samoa is number 12 Christian Pio
    2nd Row for Fiji Bulikula is number 25 Teaghan Hartigan
  • Lock for Fetu Samoa is number 13 Sienna Lofipo
    Lock for Fiji Bulikula is number 18 Talei Holmes

Interchange

  • Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 10 Laikha Clarke
    Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 8 Sereana Maragi
  • Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 14 Jetaya Faifua
    Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 14 Anastacia  Shum-Cottrell
  • Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 15 Simone Karpani
    Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 20 Mere Kilawekana  
  • Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 16 Pihuka Berryman-Duff
    Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 21 Rory Muller

Reserves

  • Replacement for Fetu Samoa is number 18 Jasmine Fogavini
    Replacement for Fiji Bulikula is number 15 Ema Rainima

Match Officials

  • Referee: Belinda Sharpe
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Samoa have scored 56 points to 28 in consecutive Test wins against Fiji and Tonga (2023-24).
  • Winger Vitalina Naikore has scored five tries in two Tests for Fiji Bulikula.
  • Fetu Samoa centre Lindsay Tui has scored three tries in two Test matches.
  • Fiji play in New Zealand for the first time.
  • Fetu Samoa have won three of eight Tests played in New Zealand.

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.