Wesele banks on unity as Fiji’s Bulikula chase World Cup breakthrough

“If we come together, nothing can stop us,” Fiji Bulikula head coach Jone Wesele told his players as the women’s team set its sights on a historic Rugby League World Cup campaign.

Wesele recently took charge of Fiji’s national women’s side. Working with his coaching staff in Australia, he has assessed players who have been involved with the team during the past three years. He believes that continuity gives Fiji a strong foundation before the tournament.

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If we come together, nothing can stop us.

The coach must now reduce the wider group to a final squad of 23. Sixteen locally based players are currently in contention, but the lack of regular domestic competition has affected their match fitness. Wesele still believes those players can force their way into the selection, and plans are already in place to provide them with a stronger competition platform next year for their fitness and development.

Wesele acknowledges that all 16 local players are unlikely to make the final squad. He hopes perhaps six or more could be selected, but said even one would be a major boost for women’s rugby in Fiji. With the World Cup approaching, he believes the team can turn its shared belief into a campaign to remember.

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For these 16, the hope is maybe six or more. But if one manages to make it in, it’s going to be a bonus for everyone, especially the local girls.