Fiji Bulikula have stormed into the semi-finals at their first ever Rugby League World Cup, beating France 54-6 at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The win sets up a semi-final against world champions Australia at Allianz Stadium next Sunday, a reward for a campaign that has already made history for Fijian women’s rugby league.
The Bulikula never looked like letting this one slip. They scored early, controlled the middle of the match, answered France’s best moment with a try of their own, and then ran away with the game in the second half. It was a complete performance, built on power through the middle, pace out wide, and a defensive effort that kept France to a single try.
Key Takeaways
- Fiji Bulikula beat France 54-6 at Cbus Super Stadium to reach the semi-finals at their first ever Rugby League World Cup.
- Fiji led 20-0 at half-time, answered France’s second-half try immediately, and finished the match with a surge of late tries.
- The Bulikula will face world champions Australia at Allianz Stadium next Sunday for a place in the final.
A flying start at Cbus Super Stadium
Fiji got off to a flyer. Tahlia Marshall crossed in the fourth minute to open the scoring, and Maria Paseka grabbed the second try in the 20th minute in her return from a leg injury. Interchange forward Aliti Namoce and star playmaker Losana Lutu then crossed in the space of three minutes, and suddenly the Bulikula were in full control.
France had their moments in the first half, but luck did not run their way. Winger Haoua Kessely looked to have scored in the corner in the 23rd minute, only to be ruled to have gone into touch as she touched down. By half-time, Fiji led 20-0, and France had a mountain to climb.
France hit back, Fiji answer immediately
France came out firing in the second term. They scored their second try of the tournament in the 39th minute, when Fanny Ramos exploded out of dummy half and picked up Stecy Bessiere in support for a try under the sticks. For a brief moment, the match had a contest again.
Fiji’s response was immediate. Cassie Staples crossed for a try to take the scoreline out to 24-6, shutting down any French comeback before it could gather momentum. It was the kind of answer that defines a tournament team: composed, clinical, and ruthless when the game asked a question.
Having pushed the Kiwi Ferns to the absolute limit in an 18-12 loss in week one in Newcastle, the Bulikula will fancy their chances of slaying the giants in Sydney next weekend.
The second-half surge
Come the 46th minute, Marshall had her fifth try of the tournament after a sweep to the left, with Taina Naividi delivering the final pass. The conversion from Luisa Yaranamua made it 32-6, and from there the Bulikula did not look back.
Powerhouse forwards Latisha Smythe and Leilani Ahsam then grabbed tries in quick succession, as the power and pace of the Bulikula proved too much for a brave France outfit. A hard-charging Lorren Ieli put the finishing touches on a famous win when she left four defenders in her wake to cross in the 68th minute.
- Tahlia Marshall scored in the fourth minute and added her fifth try of the tournament in the 46th minute.
- Maria Paseka marked her return from a leg injury with a try in the 20th minute.
- Fullback Cassie Staples ran for 135 metres, while front-rower Latisha Smythe made 17 runs for 157 metres.
- France’s only try came in the 39th minute through Stecy Bessiere, set up by Fanny Ramos.
Stars across the park
Among a host of stars for Fiji, it was fullback Staples, with 135 run metres, and front-rower Smythe, with 17 runs for 157 metres, who showed the way. Their efforts summed up the Bulikula performance: hard running, high work rates, and no step backwards.
One concern for the camp is a leg injury to Paseka in the second half, which may be watched closely in the build-up to the semi-final. Paseka had only just returned from a leg injury to score in this match, so her fitness will be a key talking point before next Sunday.
It was a mixed day for Fiji at the tournament, with New Zealand’s men running in a big win over Fiji in the men’s competition on the same day. But nothing can take away from what the Bulikula achieved: a first-ever World Cup semi-final, earned with a performance full of belief.
The result also capped a big sporting weekend that also saw Africa host its first Olympic event in Dakar, with the Youth Olympic Games opening in Senegal. For Fiji, though, the focus now narrows to one match, one opponent, and one shot at a World Cup final.
What to Watch Next
Next Sunday, the Bulikula face world champions Australia at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, with a place in the World Cup final on the line. Having pushed the Kiwi Ferns to the absolute limit in an 18-12 loss in week one in Newcastle, the Bulikula will fancy their chances of slaying the giants in Sydney next weekend. The key questions are whether Paseka recovers from her second-half leg injury, whether Fiji’s forwards can match Australia’s power, and whether the Bulikula can carry the belief from this 54-6 win into the biggest match in their history.