It will once again be a family affair in the Fiji Bulikula team, with sisters Sienna Laing, Ebony Laing and Teaghan Hartigan suiting up for this year’s IRL Women's Rugby League World Cup.
The trio are daughters of Fiji Bati international and Burleigh great Aseri Laing, with the sisters playing together for the Bears in the recent BMD Premiership grand final where Teaghan captained in her final game in the competition before retirement.
A former Burleigh Bears great himself, Laing moved from New Zealand to Australia to play for Western Suburbs Magpies (1993-1998) and Melbourne Storm (1999).
While the sisters suffered a heart-breaking extra time golden point loss in the decider, Sienna was judged player of the match for her outstanding efforts at fullback, scoring a hat-trick and making multiple try-saving tackles in the 31-30 loss.
“It obviously sucks to go down in the grand final, but I we still have a job to do outside of BMD and that's to play for Fiji and hopefully get a job done there,” Laing said.
The future NRLW aspirant said it was “special” to be able to play alongside her sisters at both club and internation level, but sometimes in her role on the field, had to take charge over her older siblings.
“I always catch myself yelling and then I go, ‘oops, they're older than me!’
“I'm excited to take that on to the World Cup.
“It’s the best feeling running out in a Fiji jersey with my sisters.”
Fiji secured the eighth and final women’s RLWC26 berth with a 62-4 defeat of Nigeria in the final of IRL Rugby League World Series at Terry Fox Stadium in Brampton, Ontario last year.
Alongside the talented trio, the Bulikula squad this year will also feature a number of NRLW experienced players, including 2026 Roosters premiership winner Taina Naividi.
The 2026 NRLW Champions
Naividi missed the Pacific Championships tournament last year after suffering an ACL injury, but has returned in fine form this season.
Other players with NRLW experience include Sharks duo Talei Holmes and Cassie Staples are joined by Raiders pair Isabella Waterman and Sereana Naitokatoka as well as Bulldogs pair Latisha Smythe and Tamika Jones and Dragons winger Maria Paseka.
Playmaker Losana Lutu will return for the Bulikula side after helping to guide the Wests Tigers to a historic first-ever NRLW finals series.
She is likely to face off against her halves partner Raecene McGregor in Fiji’s first match – a tough match up against the Kiwi Ferns McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle.
Match: New Zealand v Fiji
Round 1 -
home Team
New Zealand
away Team
Fiji
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Tickets are on sale through the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 website.
