Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa have named experienced players in their squads for the women’s competition at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) which kicks off next week.
The three Pacific Island teams will represent the region at the event, hosted across Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
Key players include those who have been competing in the National Rugby League Women’s competition, which includes teams in Australia and the New Zealand Warriors.
Other players who also compete in the New South Wales or Queensland Cup competition are spread across all three squads.
Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa have named experienced players in their squads.
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Bulikula unity is their strength
New Fiji Bulikula women’s rugby league team head coach Jone Wesele believes team unity will be their strength as the side heads to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Wesele took over from longtime coach and a Fiji Bati pioneer Joe Dakuitoga Rabele two months ago.
He announced his 23 member squad in Suva on Tuesday, with one single local player named in Naomi Tegu of the University of the South Pacific Raiders.
The Bulikula have players who have been regulars in the National Rugby League Women competition, the New South Wales Cup and the Queensland Cup.
Wesele told the media in Suva that the players have gained valuable experience in overseas competitions.
“Our current squad hasa lone representative from home, Naomi Tegu from the USP (Univer-sity of the South Pacific) Raiders team,” the Fiji Sun reported Wesele saying.
‘These players have proved their worth when they represented our country in the World Cup qualifi-ers in Canada.
“With our preparation coming into the World Cup, these girls have been playing throughout the year for their respective clubs and have the experience to perform at this level.”
Wesele said unity would be central to the team’s campaign.
‘This is the first time for me to be the national head coach and I’m shouldering it graciously,” he said.
“I humbly accept the challenge to take these girls to another level.
“Regardless of the pressure, there is unity and that is the ingredient in this journey. It takes the whole group, the whole team, to make it happen, and I believe we are ready for it.”
Team Bulikula captain Sereana Nai-tokatoka said the team had focused on building a strong bond.
“Coach always said that we have to knit our hearts together so we can be in unity. Like it says in the Bible, where there is unity, God commands His blessing,” she said.
Naitokatoka said returning home had also reminded the players of why they were representing Fiji.
“I’m so glad and grateful that we chose to come back home because we get to see and remind ourselves why we’re playing in the World Cup and who we’re playing for,” she said.
“The goal is to win this World Cup. That’s the goal. It would be a big thing if the girls bring the Cup back home to Fiji.”
Lone Fiji-based player, Tegu said represent-ing Fiji at the World Cup is a major achievement.
“I was not expecting to be selected for the Bulikula squad,”” she told the Fiji Sun.
“I was at home with my family and I finally got the call from the selectors on Sunday. I’m grateful to the selectors for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to represent my coun-try.
“I can only thank God Almighty for guiding me through my rugby league career. It’s a massive achievement and I’m ready for the challenge.”
She made her Bulikula debut last year and was part of the side that won the World Cup qualifi-ers in Canada.
“This is my first World Cup and it’s another level, and I’m looking forward to it,” she said.
The Fiji Bulikula is pool alongside PNG Orchids, New Zealand Kiwi Ferns and France.
Bulikula squad: Leilani Ahsam (NRL W Cronulla Sharks), Teaghan Hartigan (QRL BMD Burleigh Bears), Ta lei Holmes (NRLW Cronulla Sharks), Tamika Jones (NRLW Canterbury Bulldogs), Ebony Laing (QRL BMD Burleigh Bears), Sien-na Laing (QRL Burleigh Bears), Lorren Leli (QRL BMD East Tigers), Losana Lutu (NRLW West Tigers), Tahlia Mar-shall (QRL BMD East Tigers), Ema Masi (QRL BMD Norths Devils), Rory Muller (NSW Womens Premiership South Sydney Rabbitohs), Sereana Naitokatoka (NRLW Canberra Raid-ers), Tanina Naividi (NRLW Sydney City Roosters), Elizabeth Naleba (QRL BMD Burleigh Bears), Aliti Namoce (NSW Womens Premiership South Sydney Rabbitohs), Maria Paseka (NRLW St George Illawarra Dragons), Abigayle Sekitoga (QRL BMD Burleigh Bears), Latisha Smythe (NRLW Can-terbury Bulldogs), Cassie Staples (NRLW Cronulla Sharks), Naomi Tegu (FNRL USP Raiders), Nanise Vakacavu (NSW Womens Premiership Cronulla Sharks), Isabella Waterman (NRLW Canberra Raiders), Luisa Yaranamu (NSW Womens Premiership South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Fetu Samoa Shalom Sauaso celebrates her try during the Pacific Championships rugby league test between New Zealand Kiwis v Toa Samoa at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand.
Brett Phibbs
Fetu Samoa blessed
The Fetu Samoa received the blessings and best wishes of the people of Samoa in a special send off parade held in Apia on Wednesday.
Samoa’s Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa (La’auli) Leuatea Schmidt and his government hosted the special send off for both the Toa Samoa and Fetu Samoa teams.
The Samoan government also handed over $4 million tala (US$1.44m) from its annual budget in support the two teams.
Samoa Global News reported that in his message to the team La’auli reminded the players of what it means to wear the Samoan jersey.
“When you put on that Samoan jersey, remember you are not wearing it alone,” he told the players.
“You are wearing it together with Samoa – as a family, as a people and as a nation.
“Bring the World Cup home,” he added.
He recalled Toa Samoa’s historic journey to the 2022 World Cup final, where the team lost in the final.
“Through that journey the world saw our pride, our passion, our faith, culture and strength of unity.”.
Fetu Samoa have a strong squad that includes a number of players who play in the NRL Women competition.
The squad includes nine players who would be making their debut for the side.
Annetta Nu’uausala, who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL Women’s competition, will be a key player in the campaign.
She also played for the Newcastle Knights (2021) and Brisbane Broncos (2022-2025), after initially starying off with the Warriors in 2018, before returning to Auckland this year.
West Tigers Christian Pio, Gold Coast Titans Destiny Mino-Sinapati and fellow clubmate Evania Isa’ako are three other players who carry NRL experience with them.
The team will play against Australia, Wales and England in Pool A, where the top two teams will advance into the semi-finals.
Fetu Samoa squad: Amber Hall, Annetta Nu’uausala, Christabelle Onesemo, Christian Pio, Destiny Mino Sinapati, Evania Asa’ako, Evelyn Roberts, Fanua Rimoni, Freedom Crichton Ropati, Ivana Lolesio, Laikha Clarke, Leilani Wilson, Jasmine Fogavini, Jetava Faifua, Mary Jane Taito, Mercedez Taulelei Siala, Monica Tagoa’i, Pauline Piliae Rasabale, Sarina Masaga, Sienna Lofipo, Simone Karpani, Taliah Fuimaono, Tavarna Papalii, Tyra Ekepati
PNG Orchids will face France, Fiji and New Zealand in Pool B. (file image)
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Orchids pride
The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) believes the Orchids squad named for the world meet has the abuility to cause upsets and create their own history at the event.
PNGRFL chief executive Stanley Hondina said they are proud of the players named to carry the country into the world meet and the team’s pride in representing PNG will be a key to their campaign.
“Representing Papua New Guinea at a World Cup is one of the highest honours a player can achieve, and we congratulate every player selected,” he said.
“These squad reflect the talent, hard work, and commitment of our players, as well as the work being done across our pathways, clubs and competitions.”
Hondina said the 2026 Rugby League World Cup will provide both PNG teams with the opportunity to showcase Papua New Guinea’s growing strength and depth in rugby league while representing the nation on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka said players selected are the best to carry the PNG flag.
“To represent Papua New Guinea at a Rugby League World Cup is a tremendous honour, and we are incredibly proud of the players selected to wear the PNG Kumuls and PNG Orchids jerseys,” he said.
“We know what these teams mean to our people. They carry the hopes and pride of a nation, and we encourage Papua New Guineans at home and abroad to get behind our players as they prepare to take on the world.
“We wish both teams every success at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.”
Some of the experienced hands in the squad includes are Parramatta Eels deuo Elsie Albert and Fleur Ginn, North Queensland Cowboys pair Essay Banu and Emily Vievers, Relna Wuruki-Hosea of the Canberra Raiders, Tia Molo of the Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers Mya Muller.
PNG Orchids will face France, Fiji and New Zealand in Pool B.
The top two teams from the pool will join the Pool A winner and runner-up in the semi-finals.
PNG Orchids squad: Therese Aiton (Ipswich Jets), Elsie Albert (Parramatta Eels), Essay Banu (North Queensland Cowboys), Annika Butler (Maitland Pickers), Jenny David (Brisbane Tigers), Fleur Ginn (Parramatta Eels), Belinda Gwasamun (Mt Hagen Eagles) Josephine Howard (Central Dabaris), Jasmine Joe (Port Moresby Vipers), Naomi Kelly (Central Dabaris), Shellie Long (Northern Pride), Mala Mark (Central Dabaris), Tia Molo (Brisbane Broncos), Mya Muller (Penrith Panthers), Vanessa Nakkas (Central Dabaris), Cynthia Peters (Rabaul Gurias), Ua Ravu (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jafinda Sap (Central Dabaris), India Seeto (Brisbane Tigers), Emily Vievers (North Queensland Cowboys), Gemma Walker (Western Clydesdales), Ivania Wong (ACT), Relna Wuruki-Hosea (Canberra Raiders)
Reserves: Gian Kaupa (Lae Snax Tigers), Jacinta Garry (Mt Hagen), Joyce Hobert (Port Moresby Vipers)
