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 in the sudden death World Series match in Canada on Tuesday (Wednesday, 9am AEST).
Marshall comes 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.
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.”
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.
World Series squads
Canada
Maddy Aberg, Grace Campbell, Alanna Fittes, Danielle Franada, Rebecca Kochuk, Sarah Maguire (Alberta Broncos), Gabrielle Hindley, Ada Okonkwo, Alayna Scramstad (BC Storm) Megan Pakulis (Gold Coast Titans) Lauren Mueller (London Broncos), Eleta Mitton, Natasha Naismith, Candace Scholten, Beth Hoffstetter, Petra Woods (Ontario Osprey), Rachel Choboter (Otahuhu Leopards), Chantelle Crowl (St Helens RL), Caitlin Sears (Sydneham Rugby League)
Fiji
Tahila Marshall (Brisbane Tigers), Teaghan Hartigan, Ebony Laing, Sienna Laing (Burleigh Bears), Sereana Naitokatoka, Isabella Waterman (Canberra Raiders), Latisha Smythe (Canterbury Bulldogs), Cassie Staples (Cronulla Sharks), Elizabeth Naleba, Tanika Newton (Ipswich Jets), Leilani Asham (Newcastle Knights), Rory Muller (Paramatta Eels), Josiliva Vere Moceinacagi (Police Sharks), Kelilani Manu, Luisa Yaranamu (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Maria Paseka (St George Illawarra Dragons), Naomi Tegu, Kinisalote Vusawa (USP Raiders), Joy Levy, (Wests Tigers)
Ireland
Tricia Doyle, Martha Dwyer (Aspley Devils), Jemma Gallagher (Corrimal Cougars),Aimee Clarke, Niamh Griffin, Emma Kelly, Cliodhna O’Sullivan, Anna Potterton (Dublin City Exiles), Stacy Hanley, Aifric Ní Ghibne (Galway Tribes), Storm Cobain, Mollie Young (Leigh Leopards), Iona McCusker, Polly Roberts, Jade Walker (London Broncos), Steph Carroll, Sarah Scambary (Mounties), Lily Rogan (West Tigers)
Nigeria
Chinaza Abbah, Faustina Akeje (Canterbury Bulldogs), Rachel Iliya, Endurance Ukwuoma, Blessing Umude (Eko Trinity), Rukayat Akinade, Blessing Aladeyelu, Lauretta Bayere, Adaeze Innocent (Lagos Bulls), Danyelle Shobanjo (London Broncos), Fedelia Omoghan (Ontario Ospreys), Catherine Akeje (Oran Park Gregory Hills Chargers), Adeola King (Ottawa Tigers Rl), Vera Akhihiero, Success Iyoha, Abiola Obazuaye, Becky Okitikpe, (R2 Finesse Academy), Shondell Akhabue (Wentworthville Magpies), Siobhan Sheerin (Unattached)
Broadcast: CBC Sports (local time):
Ireland v Nigeria (Tuesday, 3pm EDT)
Canada v Fiji (Tuesday, 6pm EDT)
