Lami Steelers captain Naomi Tegu has made a remarkable journey to make the Fiji Bulikula squad for the Pacific Bowl Championship clash against Cook Islands on Saturday.

The 18-year-old Richmond Methodist High School student left Kadavu to be part of Vodafone Fiji Bati head coach Wise Kativerata rugby league academy.

“I was in Kadavu last year and we didn’t know coach Kativerata and his team would visit the school for rugby league clinics,” she told SUNsports yesterday.

“We didn’t know anything about rugby league and I was the deputy head girl at the school.”

Tegu said Kativerata told her to give her name for the Fiji women’s national rugby league team.

“He (Kativerata) told me to come over for camp during the two weeks holiday break.

“In the first week of the holiday, I came over with a teacher then I started my rugby league journey.”

Tegu said she trained regardless of having no knowledge about the sport.

“I only knew how to pass, after the camp concluded the rest of the academy girls and boys left while I remained at Kativerata’s house,” she said.

“I continued with my training on a daily basis then I joined the Lami Steelers team for the local women’s competition.”

Tegu said she captained the side and managed to reach the semi-final of the FNRLW (Fiji National Rugby League Women) premiership women’s tournament.

“I didn’t expect to be included in the Fiji Bulikula squad and to play in the centre position,” she said.

“I’m happy to be part of the squad and we’ve been often advised by our captain Holmes to socialise more and be cohesive in our game.”

Tegu said they need to maintain their defence against the Cook Islands team.

“All the players must perform their individual role like run their lines and ensure the defensive line is set without any loopholes,” she added.

Feedback: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj