Grand final combatants will become teammates as the Fiji Bulikula take on Canada Ravens in the first step of their attempt to claim a spot in next year’s Rugby League World Cup.
Brisbane Tigers BMD Premiership grand final winning fullback Tahlia Marshall will make her Fiji debut, coming into the game after scoring two tries as the Tigers defeated the Burleigh Bears 22-6 in decider at Kayo Stadium last month to claim the club’s maiden title.
The Bulikula squad also features siblings Teaghan Hartigan, Ebony Laing and Sienna Laing, with dummyhalf Teaghan captaining the Burleigh side in the grand final, while forward Ebony provided impact from the bench.
Burleigh Bears captain Teaghan Hartigan is back to represent Fiji once again.
©Erick Lucero / QRL
The Bears trio are daughters of Fiji Bati international Aseri Laing, who moved from New Zealand to Australia to play for Western Suburbs Magpies (1993-1998) and Melbourne Storm (1999) as well as become a household name with Bears fans.
“I’ve been injured (in the past); I’ve been injured for 2021, 2020 and 2023, so this is my first year coming in uninjured to a (representative) season,” Marshall said.
“Just to get my name into that squad, it’s just so huge.
“I’m excited I get to represent my culture.”
Marshall joins her sister, the experienced Tanika Newton, in the squad – who debuted for Fiji in their inaugural match 2019 – in representing their mother’s heritage.
Newton played in the BMD Premiership competition this season for the Ipswich Jets, the same club where father Brendon Marshall gained cult status as an Indigenous rugby league star of flair.
“I’m just hoping to just get out there and represent my culture as much as I can; my Pops, he lives in Fiji, so I just want to make him proud,” Marshall said.
“My sister is in (the team) and him and his brother played, so we’re the next generation coming in for my family.”
Megan Pakulis with a fan after making her NRLW debut for the Gold Coast Titans.
©Chloe Davis / NRL Images
Host nation Canada have also named strong squad, headlined by Las Vegas Combine winner Megan Pakulis, who made history as the first North American to play NRLW when she ran out for the Gold Coast Titans earlier this season.
Prop Chantelle Crowl is another with big-game experience, having played in this season’s Super League grand final with St Helens.
The Bulikula will play Canada Ravens on October 21 at Terry Fox Stadium in Brampton, with the winner advancing to a play-off on October 26 against the victor of the Ireland-Nigeria semi-final for the eighth and final Women’s World Cup berth.
The inaugural IRL Women’s World Series champions will join Australia, New Zealand, England, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, France and Wales in the World Cup to be played in Australia and PNG at the end of next season.
Broadcast:
Canada Broadcasting Corporation. Further details to follow.
Tickets:
Semi-finals (Tuesday, Oct 21): Double Header
Final (Sunday, Oct 26): Final