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.
Match: Fetu Samoa v Fiji Bulikula
Week 3 -
home Team
Fetu Samoa
1st Position
away Team
Fiji Bulikula
2nd Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
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.
Match: Fetu Samoa v Fiji Bulikula
Week 3 -
home Team
Fetu Samoa
away Team
Fiji Bulikula
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Fetu Samoa is number 1 Evania PeliteFullback for Fiji Bulikula is number 1 Cassie Staples
-
Winger for Fetu Samoa is number 2 Mercedez Taulelei-SialaWinger for Fiji Bulikula is number 4 Vitalina Naikore
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Centre for Fetu Samoa is number 3 Lindsay TuiCentre for Fiji Bulikula is number 3 Sienna Laing
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Centre for Fetu Samoa is number 4 Sarina MasagaCentre for Fiji Bulikula is number 6 Taina Naividi
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Winger for Fetu Samoa is number 5 Jessica PateaWinger for Fiji Bulikula is number 19 Abigayle Sekitoga
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Five-Eighth for Fetu Samoa is number 6 Tavarna PapaliiFive-Eighth for Fiji Bulikula is number 17 Luisa Yaranamua
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Halfback for Fetu Samoa is number 7 Pauline Piliae-RasabaleHalfback for Fiji Bulikula is number 5 Losana Lutu
Forwards
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Prop for Fetu Samoa is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausalaProp for Fiji Bulikula is number 2 Ilisapeci Bari
-
Hooker for Fetu Samoa is number 9 Destiny BrillHooker for Fiji Bulikula is number 9 Sereana Naitokatoka
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Prop for Fetu Samoa is number 17 Evah McEwenProp for Fiji Bulikula is number 12 Latisha Smythe
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2nd Row for Fetu Samoa is number 11 Monalisa Soliola2nd Row for Fiji Bulikula is number 11 Nanise Vakacavu
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2nd Row for Fetu Samoa is number 12 Christian Pio2nd Row for Fiji Bulikula is number 25 Teaghan Hartigan
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Lock for Fetu Samoa is number 13 Sienna LofipoLock for Fiji Bulikula is number 18 Talei Holmes
Interchange
-
Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 10 Laikha ClarkeInterchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 8 Sereana Maragi
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Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 14 Jetaya FaifuaInterchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 14 Anastacia Shum-Cottrell
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Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 15 Simone KarpaniInterchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 20 Mere Kilawekana
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Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 16 Pihuka Berryman-DuffInterchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 21 Rory Muller
Reserves
-
Replacement for Fetu Samoa is number 18 Jasmine FogaviniReplacement 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,
