Jahream Bula has made a record-breaking statement for Fiji, amid questions around his future at the Wests Tigers and the NRL club’s willingness to offer him an $800,000 extension. Bula scored four tries to set a new Test record for Fiji as they crushed the Cook Islands 44-24 in Saturday’s Pacific Bowl clash in Port Moresby.
In a scintillating display of attacking footy – and a timely reminder of his qualities – Bula put on a show for Fiji, with all four of his tries coming in a devastating first half. No Bati player had ever scored more than three tries in a Test match previously, but Bula had the record sewn up in the first 40 minutes.
Jahream Bula (R) scored a record four tries for Fiji, while Wests Tigers teammate Terrell May (L) was ruled out of Samoa’s Pacific Championships clash with New Zealand. Pic: Getty
The Wests Tigers livewire showcased speed, instinct and skill, proving too hot to handle for the outclassed Cook Islanders. The 23-year-old had his hat-trick inside 13 minutes despite Fiji running into a strong wind. Halfback Brandon Wakeham also became just the second player to notch 100 points for the Bati, joining Wes Naiqama in achieving the milestone.
Bula opened the scoring after the ball went through multiple sets of hands in a classic example of Fijian flair. Five-eighth Kurt Donoghoe laid on Bula’s second and he had his third with a scheming dart from dummy-half. Cook Islands were their own worst enemies, kicking the ball out on the full twice from restarts in the opening 20 minutes.
Fiji suffered a blow when rookie Canterbury winger Jethro Rinakama was ruled out of the match in the 14th minute with an arm injury on his Test debut. And the highlight of the first half for the Cook Islands was a barnstorming try by captain and centre KL Iro, who beat a host of defenders to score.
Jahream Bula stars for Fiji amid uncertainty at Wests Tigers
But Bula had the final say in a brilliant opening 40 minutes for the fullback after hitting a Donoghoe pass at speed and putting a grubber kick in that he chased to score. Bula’s display was far more assured than his NRL club future, amid reports the Wests Tigers are ‘baulking’ at activating an extension clause in his contract.
Bula is signed on with the Tigers until the end of 2026 and has expressed a desire to remain at the club. But as things stand, he’ll be free to speak to rival clubs from November 1 unless the Tigers activate an extension worth around $800,000 – something league journalist Michael Chammas doesn’t believe the club is willing to do.
Jahream Bula’s future at the Tigers is in doubt amid reports the club is baulking at offering him a lucrative extension. Pic: Getty
“I don’t even think Jarome Luai is the Wests Tigers’ biggest problem,” Chammas said on the Triple M Rocks Footy podcast. “If you are asking me to make a bold prediction for 2026, I think Jahream Bula could depart the club. From my conversations that I’ve had at the moment, I don’t think there is an appetite from the Wests Tigers to activate his contract at $800,000.”
Bula’s stunning display for Fiji could force the Tigers into a rethink. While the Cook Islands will now set their sights on a World Cup qualifier against South Africa next month as they look to hit top form. The underdogs did capitalise on a 49th minute sin bin to Fiji’s Taane Milne to cross for three second half tries but they proved little more than a consolation.
Wests Tigers star Terrell May ruled out of Samoa Test
Meanwhile, Bula’s Wests Tigers teammate Terrell May has been dealt a blow ahead of Samoa’s Pacific Championships opener against New Zealand on Sunday afternoon. May was named to start off the bench against the Kiwis in Auckland but was cut from the squad after reportedly picking up a hamstring injury.
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News Corp reports that May was spotted arriving back in Sydney from New Zealand on Saturday, but he is expected to re-join the Samoan squad next week, ahead of their second Test against Tonga. Canberra forward Ata Mariota looms as May’s likely replacement as one of the two Samoa reserves, alongside Manly outside back Clayton Faulalo.
May’s injury setback comes after his brother and Wests Tigers teammate Taylan was also ruled out for Samoa with a torn quad. The hard-running centre picked up the injury while playing with his kids at home and didn’t travel with the Kiwis squad.
with agencies