Fiji Bulikula Topple PNG 40-4 for Historic First Women's World Cup Win

The Fiji Bulikula are off the mark at the World Cup — and how. Fiji's women's side stormed to a 40-4 victory over Papua New Guinea at Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday, running in seven tries to claim the country's first-ever win at a Women's Rugby League World Cup and move into pole position for a semi-final berth.

The hosts were silenced early. Fiji winger Sienna Laing crossed in the fourth minute, and though Ua Ravu briefly answered for the Orchids, the Bulikula surged: Luisa Yaranamua made it 12-4 after 20 minutes, Lorren Ieli burst through the line to tee up Taina Naividi's try, and Losana Lutu and Tahlia Marshall both crossed in the closing minutes of the first half for a 30-4 halftime lead built on five tries to one.

There was no let-up. Marshall scored twice in the first ten minutes of the second half — her second in the 42nd minute — to put the result beyond doubt, and it was not long before the winger completed her hat-trick as the game settled into an arm-wrestle. PNG had chances to trim the margin but Fiji's defense held firm to secure the 36-point win.

The result leaves the Orchids' semi-final hopes in jeopardy — they must now shock New Zealand next weekend — while a win over France will likely be enough to send the Bulikula into the knockout phase at their first World Cup. After coming agonisingly close to upsetting the Kiwi Ferns last weekend, this was no fluke: Fiji's women are genuine contenders.